Silverdale club makes its Mark with national award success

Silverdale GC receives its GolfMark award (left to right, back row) Sam Matthews (Head Professional), Keith Cordukes (President), Peter Palmer (Vice Captain), Christine Birchall (Ladies Captain), Adam McAlister (County Development Officer, Lancashire Golf Development Group), Stuart Freeman (H&S Officer), Phillip Mashiter (Captain), David Crayston (Past Captain), Norman Forrest (Patron) and Jerry Martin (Manager) with (seated) Roger Sharples (Past Captain) and Sue Crayston (Ladies Secretary)

The 18 hole course on the county’s northerly border with Cumbria has achieved the GolfMark award from England Golf.

The club has worked hard to put itself at the heart of the local community, opening up its facilities to local clubs and organisations as well as taking golf out into the surrounding area, and is only the second in Lancashire to achieve the current GolfMark award.

PGA professional Sam Matthews runs regular Get into Golf sessions across the ages, including a Saturday morning club for juniors, and works with neighbouring primary schools to promote the  sport.

To encourage the whole family to get involved, the club offers buddy memberships for parents or grandparents which enables them to play out on the course with the younger  generation.

The award was presented by Adam McAlister, one of two county development officers for the Lancashire Golf Development Group, which works to help clubs attract new golfers and retain existing members.

The GolfMark award was developed by England Golf and also integrates Sport England’s Clubmark award – a national standard for quality sports clubs recognised across the  country.