Golf Business News – Golf facilities for women set to receive £1m boost in Wales
Golf facilities across Wales are set to be transformed this year, with 74 projects securing funding from the £1 million Women’s Golf Legacy Fund from the Welsh Government, through Sport Wales.
The fund has been established to create a tangible impact for local golf clubs as a result of Wales hosting its largest women’s sporting event, the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Porthcawl this summer.
The successful projects were announced on April 22 by Jack Sargeant, Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership of Wales, at Llandudno Maesdu Golf Club – the winning club of the Sustainability Project of the Year Award at the recent Annual Wales Golf Awards sponsored by Toptracer.
The Minister was joined by club personnel, including the women’s section and Wales Golf girls’ squad players, to hear about the difference the funding will make.
The million-pound fund, made available through Wales Golf, is aimed at improving facilities for women, girls and people with disabilities at Welsh golf clubs, with on-course toilet facilities and changing rooms the main areas to be boosted. Over 70 projects at almost 50 golf clubs will make a significant difference in areas earmarked as being barriers for women and girls getting into the sport and joining clubs.
As well as on-course toilets and changing rooms, projects include greenkeeper welfare, disability access and halfway houses – and even a mobile F&B facility which can be used around the course and in the local community.
Jack Sargeant, Minister for Culture, said: “It’s terrific to hear all about the future plans thanks to this £1 million fund – it’ll make a real, on-the-ground difference to golf clubs and their members across Wales. This investment will promote our nation’s fantastic golf courses while taking forward important work to enhance facilities for female players and creating more welcoming environments, with the aim of attracting women and girls into the sport.
“This fund is a vital part of making sure we capitalise on the spotlight that will fall on women’s golf when Wales hosts the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Porthcawl this summer – the biggest female sporting event ever held in Wales. These 74 projects will leave a lasting legacy that transforms accessibility and inclusivity for generations to come.”
Feedback from Wales Golf New2Golf participants shows that facilities are an important factor in attracting and retaining new golfers – and industry surveys show golf course toilets are especially important for women and a lack of access to such facilities may help explain a drop in participation rates among period-age girls.
“These projects will have a huge impact across Wales, making golf clubs more welcoming for women and girls to play golf,” said Dilwyn Griffiths, Wales Golf’s Head of Facilities and Sustainability. “We would like to thank the Welsh Government for providing the funding to create a lasting impact from the AIG Women’s Open being hosted by Wales for the first time.
“Clubs have reviewed their facilities, and come up with some excellent ideas and projects that will improve or enhance their offering to members, and the local community. Long after the world’s best players have left Porthcawl, these facilities will continue to enjoy the benefits of the funding.
“At Wales Golf, we know the long-term impact such things can have because of the legacy left behind after hosting the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor in 2010. More than 40 facilities around Wales were built as part of the legacy of that championship, and most of them continue to have a major impact on golf in their communities. We expect a similar benefit from these projects.”
Unsurprisingly, new toilets facilities are the single biggest category for projects, with 25 new facilities for women, girls, disability access and unisex, 18 of them on-course. Women and girls changing rooms will also see a big change, with 25 renovations planned, one clubhouse development, along with three greenkeeper welfare units to help ensure looking after the course is a profession for all.
Six clubs – Parc near Cardiff, Machynys near Llanelli, Celtic Manor, Conwy, Wrexham and Pyle and Kenfig, will develop Aspire Pathway facilities for up-and-coming talent. Bryn Meadows in Gwent and Cradoc in Mid Wales will develop new dedicated women’s coaching areas, eight clubs will improve disability access, with three having new Halfway Houses for on course refreshment.
Perhaps the most innovative plan has come from Mold Golf Club with their Swing & Snack Cabin. This is a mobile facility which can be moved round the course for golfers and the local community, with public footpaths on the boundary of the course. It will also help the club take golf, specifically aimed at women, girls and juniors, into venues across the area, such as schools, community centres, market day town centres, summer fairs and other such venues, for taster sessions.