New initiatives to get more people of all ages involved in golf have been launched by Leighton Buzzard’s Plantation Road club.
In a campaign aimed at providing professional tuition to enable wanna-be golfers to learn skills that will last a life-time, the Leighton club is offering two Academy options which embrace both coaching and daily access to the course….and a package for the absolute beginner with equipment being provided if needed. !
And on Saturday, May 4, the Club is to repeat a free girls-only taster coaching session for females aged from five to 18, with equipment provided for the two-hour professional teach-in. Would-be participants can book in on line through GIRLSGOLFROCKS.ORG/ BEDFORDSHIRE, or reserve a spot for the 12.00 to 14.00 session by phoning the club Pro Shop of 01525 244815. The event is being backed by England Golf and the Golf Foundation.
The three courses which commence in May with the first lesson free on all options are: :
Golf for Beginners – Weekly hour-long group sessions on the club practice area to learn the basic skills of golf. The first session is at 14.00 on Sunday May 5, with the four teach-ins during May costing £30.
Academy Course – A two-month course with fortnightly group lessons and daily access to full playing facilities, costing £150 for two months.
Academy Plus – A year-long “all in” package embracing group lessons every two weeks, daily access to the course and club house facilities for £50 a month or one-off £500 payment.
More details on the packages can be obtained from Club Professional Maurice Campbell or pro-colleague Will Tebbs on 01525 244815, or by calling in at the club and meeting the team.
Says Club President Brian Carter: “These are great opportunities for people of all ages to give golf a try, learning or honing skills that are rarely lost. And with its unique handicap system that automatically adjusts to reflect improvements or otherwise in levels of ability, it’s a game where everyone can get maximum enjoyment whenever they play.”
Former RAF communications engineer Phil Coumbe won Leighton’s Wallis Cup, his +6 score beating Graham Richmond by a shot. Other leading scores were: +4 Brian Wilson, Roger Hughes, Mark Reynolds, Andres Valentine; +3 Chris Newnham, Ian Hazell; +2 Derek Shaw, Stuart Goodwin, Stephen Boud, Manny Barker.
Leighton’s Senior squad lost 5-3 at Beds & County, Martin Broadley and Peter Sheridan, Mike Turnock and Keith Griffiths and Ian Rimmer and Graham Robinson staging a late recovery for Leighton after losing the opening four matches.
Lynne Newnham was top scorer in Leighton Ladies April stableford, her 36 points pipping Ladies Captain Carmen White-Lawes by three shots, a result which earned her a one shot reduction in her handicap to 17. Val Berry was Division One runner-up to Lynne while Carmen topped Division Two with 33 points, three clear of Barbara Bradley. Jane Tizzard won Division Three with 33 points, Margaret Osborne finishing runner-up.

PICTURE CAPTION:
Leighton Ladies stableford winners (left to right) Jane Tizzard, Carmen White-Lawes and Lynn Newnham.