Somerley Park golf club in Ringwood, which is backing the drive to grow the game, has achieved the SafeGolf club accreditation from England Golf.

The 9-hole golf club has just received the SafeGolf, demonstrating the club’s commitment to safeguarding children and young people, as well as adults at risk in the sport of golf.

The club, which has been established for over 25 years, is to hold an Open Day this year to promote membership and competitions, one of which will be to promote Women in Golf.

Gordon Scott, who led the club’s push to SafeGolf, said, “Somerley is a great club, it’s very friendly, welcoming and forward-thinking. This award helps us to spread that message and to tell people that children are safe and secure here and that we understand about beginner golfers.”

The award was presented to Somerley Park by Tom Jessamine, England Golf’s South/South West Club support officer.

The SafeGolf is a partnership of UK golf bodies committed to promoting a safe and positive environment for all those participating, working and volunteering in the sport of golf.

The partnership consists of members from the golfing bodies across Great Britain and Ireland and has been established to help golf respond to the issue of child protection in sport. Its mission is to safeguard the welfare of children and young people, as well as adults at risk, in the sport of golf.

SafeGolf is firstly, a website – www.safegolf.org – through which anyone with a concern about the welfare of a player, or the behaviour or practice of a coach, volunteer, organiser, parent or a player, can contact the lead safeguarding officer at their national governing body.

Secondly, it is the safeguarding standard England Golf will promote to all their affiliated clubs to ensure all clubs provide a safe and positive experience to children and young people whilst playing golf. The PGA is also using the standards to apply to all their PGA professional coaches.