Triumphant Carlisle school gets free masterclass

(Date of issue: Monday 5 October 2009)

Carlisle school children, who recently won a national tri-golf tournament, beating competitors from 14 other English and Welsh cities, will be treated to a professional masterclass this Wednesday (7 October).

Pupils from Newlaithes Junior School represented Carlisle at the Golf Foundation’s first ever National Golf Roots Festival held in Loughborough last month (Wednesday, 16 September). They were the triumphant overall winners and each of the ten year six school children will now take part in an Eden Golf Course coaching session.

Starting at 1.30pm, it will include a free ‘golf clinic’ provided by Eden Golf Course’s professional golf players and there will also be a chance to play a few holes on the course.

The masterclass has been set up Carlisle City Council, who along with volunteers and partners organised a city-wide golfing challenge in July this year. Nine junior schools, each with ten representative students, aged between 8 and 10 years old, competed in a local golfing challenge.

Carlisle City Cllr Ray Bloxham portfolio holder for Environment and Infrastructure, said:

“Tri-Golf encourages children to learn golf in a fun environment, introducing them to both the technical skills and etiquette of the sport. Getting children involved in golf at this age is so important. I’d like to congratulate all the school children who represented Carlisle at the national finals. To come away as the overall winners is great news, not only for the children themselves but also for their school and their city. Well done to all concerned.”

The National Golf Roots Festival was part of a Golf Foundation initiative. Chief Executive, Mike Round, said:

“Congratulations to the team from Carlisle for winning the first ever National Golf Roots Festival. It was great to see so many children from across England and Wales come together for what was a fantastic celebration of the work that’s been going on through the city and urban based Golf Roots projects. The atmosphere was electric and the energy of the children seemed boundless. A good time was had by all and, as you can see from the photo, Carlisle were thrilled to have won. We hope to do it all again next year!”