Golf
A new golf development and leadership programme was launched in September 2019 in an attempt to provide more practice and competition opportunities for all pupils throughout the year. Having begun with only eight pupils, there are now more than thirty pupils receiving coaching and developing their abilities in collaboration with our partner – Farrington Park Golf Club. Experienced players are asked to provide their own playing equipment, or like the many pupils who are new to the game, they can borrow one of the golf bags & sets of clubs the school has acquired in recent years thanks to the support of the Old Gregorian Golfing Society.
Every Monday afternoon the group travels to Farrington Park and either uses the TopTracer equipped driving range & practice areas, receive tuition from the PGA coaching staff or play on the par 27 9-hole Manor Course. There are additional evening training & coaching opportunities for players who wish to practice more regularly. Pupils wishing to acquire and work to lower handicaps are supported to do so, and through membership of Farrington Park all pupils can also play on the 18-hole Duchy course.
Competitive inter-school fixtures are organised for boys and girls, with regular opposition including Sherborne, King’s Bruton and the annual Old Gregorian Golfing Society match, as well as participation for more talented players in the National Schools Golf competition, Independent Schools Golfing Association events and the Somerset Schools Championships. Pupils have regularly qualified for the Sky Sports European Junior Championships in Spain, finishing as high as 5th place amongst the best young golfers from across Europe.
RICHARD JONES
Director of Sport, BA
rjones@downside.co.uk
