The funding received from Taskers each year goes entirely towards supporting the activities of the junior golfers of Lincolnshire. We set high but achievable targets and to achieve these targets we have an early season performance review and team building days in readiness for inter-county team matches and county competitions. This enables the boys to meet on a regular basis and build up their team bonding and competitive edge.
Early in 2020, in our annual juniors performance review, plans were put in place and targets were set for our junior team squads. The main targets were the Midland Under 14’s Championship at Broughton Heath GC in early September, the Midland Under 16’s Championship at Penn GC in October and the England Boys county Championship at Broadstone GC in August. In February, pre-crisis, we did manage to hold two squad building/coaching days and things were looking very promising. But, sadly due to the Covid-19 lock-down, the plans went ‘out of the window’.
The prime outcome targets are team-based with qualification to the England Golf County Boys Final the main objective. A further objective is having boys progress from county golf to the regional England squad. We also target the relevant age group Midland Union championships, specifically the Under 16’s and Under 14’s championships
The targets are reviewed each autumn when the boys playing record, handicap and competition outcomes are analysed. Several squad building/coaching days are also held during the winter months when various aspects of each boy’s technique are assessed and now monitored with ‘Trackman’ technology. This technology also allows for skills tests to be set and judged. Individual targets for improvement are also set between each squad building/coaching day.
No other external funding sources are used for our junior golf. We rely on support from the county union whose income is almost entirely derived from member clubs’ subscriptions. But we do have a county-based society ‘The Lincolnshire Junior Golfers Patrons’ who raise a modest amount of funding through four golfing days each year. The surplus from these events is used primarily to support our squad building/coaching days.
The LUGC, for boys, caters for junior golfers of all abilities, under the age of 18. They are encouraged to join us. As clubs have a player pathway there is also a player pathway from club activities to county activities supported by county officials. The junior playing programme covers all ages from those just entering the game. Boys between the ages of 6 and 14 are especially welcome, whether they have a handicap or not. They start off with the Little Imps Tour which is a series of five 9 hole events for youngsters who are just starting out in the game. The events are simple, enjoyable stroke play competitions. Opportunities to progress are offered by attending ‘Clinics’ at various locations across the county where you will meet with other junior golfers to practice your game and develop as a team.
Lincolnshire tries to continue to lead the way in producing excellent golfers and continues to listen to requests from juniors as well as looking out for players to invite to further coaching and team building sessions. By adopting this approach Lincolnshire is well represented in the England Regional squads and our squad building/coaching days continue to be popular out of season occasions. The boys take away valuable advice which has seen many of the boys’ handicaps drop considerably during the main playing season.
Other than our annual targets we also encourage the boys to play in various regional and national events. To assist with this, financially, small donations are available to help support them
Keith Moody - LUGC Junior Organiser
