Golf Development Wales

Golf Development Wales (GDW) was established as a result of Wales’ successful Ryder Cup Bid. GDW is the development arm of the Golf Union of Wales and is a strategic partnership between the Golf Union of Wales, the Golf Foundation and Sport Wales. GDW facilitates the growth and health of the sport via a number of initiatives outlined in their ‘Securing the Future’ strategy.

GDW’s overarching mission is to help develop a network of thriving clubs to ‘secure the future’ of Welsh golf, and generate opportunities for all to take up and remain within the sport for life.

Underneath the mission statement is a wide range of activities that are focused on supporting existing clubs and reaching out to new golfers. Ultimately, it is hoped that over 70,000 people will be given the chance to take up the game. Recognising that Deaf and Hard of Hearing people face some barriers of entry to golf, GDW allocated specific funding to encourage deaf people to get involved.
 

I was delighted to be able to support this programme and I have attended a number of taster sessions with brand new golfers at the Vale Resort. I arranged for newcomers to attend a taster session and under the expert eye of local professional Clive Coombes, they were introduced to the fun of ‘whacking’ golf balls. Judging by the smiles all round, it was great fun.

​Commenting on the initiative Zoe Thacker from GDW said, “Golf development Wales are really excited about our new partnership with the Welsh Deaf Golf Association. We aim to promote the opportunities available to the deaf community to learn and take up such a great sport as golf. In the future we hope we can increase the number of deaf people playing golf, especially juniors and ladies, whose numbers are quite low in Wales at the moment. It's an exciting project so if you fancy making new friends and taking up a new hobby, please get in touch! Golf is a sport for life.”

Further Deaf Friendly taster sessions are planned, and if you interested in finding out more please send an email to sarah@slfirst.co.uk who will put you in touch with the right people.

We have found GDW to be an excellent initiative and one that has already attracted new Deaf golfers. The first sessions have gone so well that we have since returned to a driving range to hit a few more balls.

You can find out more about GDW at: http://www.golfdevelopmentwales.org