The newly-launched after school golf club is suiting young players down to a tee at St Nicholas at Wade CE Primary.
Regular sessions on the school’s innovative nine-hole course in the school grounds are already proving a big hit for pupils of all ages.
Key Stage 2 and Key Stage1 children play on separate days and are enjoying finding their way round the specially-designed holes.
The golf course was introduced by Head Teacher Taralee Kennedy a year ago and she said the popularity of the resource in PE and lunch times led to the development of the after-school facility this school year.
She said: “It is so popular with all age groups. It was an exciting challenge when we first launched it and it has become one of the school’s most popular features.
“Both after-school sessions are busy and our children have a real ownership of the course – and that includes keeping the greens free from obstructions and sweeping up leaves.”
The young golfers are firm fans of the sporting set-up. Enjoying a Key Stage 2 session in the autumn afternoon sunshine Teddy from Year 4 said: “It is a great idea for an after-school club – it makes me feel calm and focussed when I play.”
Roma from Year 6 added: “I love it. I try my best every time to get a hole in one. I like the challenge; some holes are harder than others.”
Graham Stroud of Quex Adventure Farm Park who created their popular mini golf course helped design and lay out the course that features paw print shaped steppingstones between the coloured Astroturf surfaces.
Each hole has a special theme as part of the school’s Christian ethos. For example, the first hole is a rainbow to symbolise Christian values and God’s promises of love, hope and redemption while celebrating diversity and inclusion in the Christian faith.
The next series of holes encompass deconstructed lettering as part of the design to mirror the school’s values of courage, resilience, honesty, kindness and be the best you can be.
Mrs Kennedy added: “Plans are already under way for an inter-house competition for all age groups in term 2 this year. Our bespoke course is a wonderful addition to St Nicholas and I believe it is unique among primary schools in our region.”
The course was initially funded via the school’s ‘sports premium’ and by the PTFA (Parent Teacher and Friends Association) who described it as “a wonderful venture that embraces our ethos of supporting the school to provide a rounded education that encompasses the best of learning, having fun and creating treasured memories.”
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