Lyme achieve GolfMark award

Lyme Regis Golf Club have achieved the prestigious Golf Mark award.

Lyme Regis Golf Club have achieved the prestigious Golf Mark award. This award, was introduced by the English Golf Union (EGU) and English Women's Golf Association (EWGA) to recognise those facilities that have shown an outstanding and innovative contribution to junior and beginner golf.

During the last year Lyme GC has reached out consistently to schools and the community and fostered a friendly, family atmosphere at the club. Juniors compete regularly with adults and adults provide a mentoring 'buddy' scheme. Junior coaching sessions and competitions are regular events, while growing links with local schools provide a pathway to encourage new youngsters to develop their golf at the club under the expert supervision of Duncan Driver the club professional.

This achievement would not have been possible without the assistance of willing volunteer club members, in particular the club manager David Astill and ex club captain Jim Allen. GolfMark is a national scheme that identifies and recognises junior and beginner friendly golf facilities. Any golf club awarded GolfMark is recognised by Sport England as a Clubmark facility, which is a national standard identifying quality sports clubs across the country.

Lyme GC has not only achieved this award but has been recognised as the only golf club in Dorset with a "high achiever" accreditation.

The junior section now boasts a significant number of current County Junior Academy members in George Yorke, David Searle, and David Lyon with George Seed already representing Dorset at U14 level. Scott Love who, at 18, passed from Devon Junior player to the senior level, has recently achieved a scratch handicap and is expected to represent Devon at at least B if not A team level.

Further developments of the Junior section are anticipated during the forthcoming season with even more junior members awaiting entry into the Dorset academy.

This should also be greatly assisted by the imminent opening of the nine hole "pitch and putt" facility which is to be a joint venture between Duncan Driver and Lyme Regis Town Council near to the main golf club site.