Image: Claire and Amy Bateman pictured after Presentation Evening in 2019.

Richmond (Yorks) Golf Club is determined to attract more young people into the sport and this starts with our junior section, which is thriving.

Golf is an ideal game for helping young people to develop valuable personal skills and to understand the importance of honesty, integrity and respect for others.

Chris Lamb, Chair at RGC, said: “Our young players are extremely enthusiastic and now that the course has reopened, they’ll be keen to get back practising and playing the game they love. They are, after all, the future of golf here at Richmond and every other Club.

“We’re extremely proud to have achieved SafeGolf accreditation with England Golf, which demonstrates our commitment to safeguarding children and young people.

“We’re very fortunate that we have a lady golfer who has taken on the role of Junior Golf Coordinator at RGC, despite working full time and bringing up a family.”

Claire Bateman works for 3M at the Newton Aycliffe factory, which manufactures face masks and respirators for front line health workers.

Away from this vital work, her passions are her two young daughters and golf, so we asked Claire to tell us how she manages to balance her life.

“Like most working Mums, I need to split my time between work & family, but also in my case, golf,” Claire said. “I joined RGC in 2017, and initially started playing in the Golf Academy which was a great way to learn the game without the cost of full membership, until I was sure that I wanted to stay.

“Since then I’ve really become addicted to the game, running the Golf Society at work and then asked to take on the role of Junior Golf Coordinator at RGC.

“We are actively involved in the Golf Foundation’s GolfSixes League in the North East, which gives our Juniors the chance to play in a competitive golf league with other local clubs.

“My youngest daughter Amy has since taken up the game and is equally as keen on the sport. I’m really looking forward to getting back to the game I love and to help bring on the golfing greats of tomorrow.

“The role also involves helping to coordinate coaching for the Juniors with the Graeme Storm Golf Academy, based at RGC.”

Graeme told us: “We are very excited to be reopening and Junior Coaching will recommence Saturday 17th April. We look forward to welcoming back all of the juniors who took part in last year’s coaching and would love to welcome new juniors.

“The Golf Foundation’s Junior Golf Passport is aimed at beginners aged 6-11 and we also have older groups of Juniors aged 12-17.

“All coaching will be delivered by our PGA Professional Mark Robson who has received his first Covid vaccine and groups of children are limited to 8.

“Sharing of equipment is not permitted and all groups are taught with social distancing in place. Golf is a great social sport and where better to be in the current climate than outdoors.”

Anyone interested in coming along can contact us via email stormygolfer@gmail.com or phone 01748 823231 option 2.