Two women are taking key roles in the drive to get more people playing and staying in golf in Surrey.
Caroline Hardy-Evans and Amanda Smerczak are England Golf’s new County Development Officers and are working with golf clubs and county organisations to help bring more people into the game and to become club members.
Among the initiatives they will be promoting is the Get into golf campaign, which inspires more people to play the sport.
Caroline is stepping up from a part-time role with Surrey’s Golf Development Group, which she has held since August 2011. During this time she also worked Sutton Green Golf Club, supporting the general manager, booking in societies, updating the website and dealing with new members. Previously she was a business consultant for 19 years. She is continuing to work with Surrey Golf for one day a week, co-ordinating the County Academy Programme and other projects.
She commented: “I feel extremely privileged to be working in a sport that I'm passionate about and being given the opportunity to work with clubs in Surrey in helping to increase membership and help create stronger clubs.”
Amanda has previously worked with swimming National Governing Bodies. She also spent two years as programme manager at the Wentworth Club and was an online marketing executive at BGL Golf, the golf course operators. Her role included the creation of mobile-optimised websites and she managed the rebranding of the Adventure Golf business.
She said: “I got the golf bug at the age of 11 when my mother introduced me to the game and have gone on to work at some lovely golf clubs and centres. The England Golf strategy to grow the game is very exciting and, through my varied experience, I hope to help golf facilities to get more people playing the game.”
Andy Willems, England Golf’s Senior Regional Manager, commented: “I am sure Caroline and Amanda will be tremendous assets to the county and they will continue to help and support the clubs to increase participation and club membership.”
For more information about England Golf visit www.englandgolf.org and about Surrey county golf visit www.surreygolf.org and www.slcga.org For more information about Get into golf and to find out about great value membership and coaching opportunities visit www.getintogolf.org