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Have a look below to see the star letter from Issue 81.
Star Letters in Issue 81 A short-sleeved Ping Collection Jingle Polo Top is on its way to you!
Dear Bunkered...
I’ve just seen an internet site of a golf club that has prompted this e-mail, which wants to produce another Tiger Woods. It is my belief it won’t happen in this country with the ground level approach to junior golf at most golf clubs. A junior membership at some clubs can be £85 for a year’s golf plus variable joining fees that can be three times the green fees. Not exactly pocket money is it? For those lucky enough to get in or waive the joining fee, the change begins at the age of 18. The rates for an adult member at the club I looked at amounts to £444.50. At this price, most juniors will leave golf to find a job or full-time education. If we’re lucky, a ‘well off’ parent will be able to subsidise this expensive hobby until self sufficiency. Old views of the game being one for the idle rich have left this legacy! We have tried to change this at our club by offering 25% subsidies for new junior members, while we encourage all juniors to enter competitions outside the club and arrange trips and team events. We also have no joining fees to allow people to enter straight away and they are involved in the club’s events from the off. Our new member applications are one of the highest in the area and we hope this will continue. I believe this is more likely to increase the chance of another Tiger-like superstar. Pricing people out of membership creates divide, not opportunity!
Keith Anderson, Colinsburgh
EDITOR’S REPLY: Juniors simply have to be encouraged so measures such as these are welcome in my book.
Current Issue (84)
Will Tiger Woods ever be the same again following his knee surgery?
I’ve just seen an internet site of a golf club that has prompted this e-mail, which wants to produce another Tiger Woods. It is my belief it won’t happen in this country with the ground level approach to junior golf at most golf clubs. A junior membership at some clubs can be £85 for a year’s golf plus variable joining fees that can be three times the green fees. Not exactly pocket money is it? For those lucky enough to get in or waive the joining fee, the change begins at the age of 18. The rates for an adult member at the club I looked at amounts to £444.50. At this price, most juniors will leave golf to find a job or full-time education. If we’re lucky, a ‘well off’ parent will be able to subsidise this expensive hobby until self sufficiency. Old views of the game being one for the idle rich have left this legacy! We have tried to change this at our club by offering 25% subsidies for new junior members, while we encourage all juniors to enter competitions outside the club and arrange trips and team events. We also have no joining fees to allow people to enter straight away and they are involved in the club’s events from the off. Our new member applications are one of the highest in the area and we hope this will continue. I believe this is more likely to increase the chance of another Tiger-like superstar. Pricing people out of membership creates divide, not opportunity!
