GP Junior (Jun-July 18) Digital (June-July 18) | Page 7

Feature Grifſ ths Inspired at Fulford by McWilliam’s Curtis Cup selection Players from 11 different countries tee up for inaugural Under-16 event History made as 90 girls compete in new event on domestic calendar Aboyne’s Carmen Grif¿ ths is drawing inspiration from her fellow club member Shannon McWilliam as she lines up in the inaugural Girls Under 16 Open Championship. On the eve of the new event at Fulford Golf Club in York, McWilliam ful¿ lled a dream by being named in the Great Britain and Ireland side for June’s Curtis Cup match. That is especially true for Grif¿ ths, who believes McWilliam’s selection has given Aboyne and her own game a real boost. Thrill for Aboyne GC The 14-year-old said: “I went to school with Shannon and it’s great for the entire club to see someone like her going to the Curtis Cup. I feel like I’m at the same level as when she was 14 so I’m hoping to follow along her lines.” “I’m really excited for this event,” added The R&A is continuing its commitment to increase participation in golf among women and girls by providing funding to support the appointment of new development managers in Australia, England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Working with its af¿ liates around the world to enhance golf’s appeal, the investment forms part of the governing body’s drive to encourage more women, girls and families to play golf more regularly across the globe and to go on to become members of golf clubs. An initial three-year funding package of £75,000 per nation has been agreed between The R&A, Golf Australia, England Golf, the Gol¿ ng Union of Ireland / the Irish Ladies’ Golf Union, Scottish Golf and Wales Golf for the recruitment and appointment of Carmen Griffiths from Aboyne during her practice round at Fulford Golf Club the three-handicapper, the reigning ladies and girls’ champion at Aboyne. “This is my ¿ rst British event so hopefully I can play well.” The new 54-hole stroke play tournament has been introduced as part of The R&A’s drive to boost the girls’ game in Great Britain and Ireland and beyond, as well as provide a pathway to the elite amateur level for leading young players. happy when a friend of my dad said there was this new Under 16 event, so my dad was then keen for me to play in it,” said Melgrati. It’s a new opportunity for my age group. This is my ¿ rst time playing in England. The wind is really strong and the weather is different to Italy, but it will be a good challenge.” ‘New opportunity for our age group’ Players from 11 different countries are represented, including 54 from the host nation. The Under-16 Italian Girls’ champion, Carolina Melgrati, also competes. Hailing from Monza near Milan, the 15-year-old admits the new event encouraged Italy to send three players to England’s north-east. “I was really Prestigious venue Fulford, hosting an event organised by The R&A for the ¿ rst time in its history, enjoys a prestigious reputation as a championship venue, having staged the ¿ rst ever Women’s British Open in 1976 as well as European Tour events. Tony Jacklin, Lee Trevino, Greg Norman, Sam Torrance and Sandy Lyle are all past winners over the parkland test. Fulford will also host the Girls Under 16 Championship in 2019 and 2020. experienced sports development staff. In Scotland, the funding is being matched by the Scottish Government and VisitScotland as part of The 2019 Solheim Cup project, creating a Women and Young People Development Manager post within Scottish Golf to drive forward and promote opportunities to increase female and junior participation in golf in Scotland ahead of and beyond The Solheim Cup and PING Junior Solheim Cup being staged at Gleneagles in 2019. Great Britain and Ireland international Maria Dunne has taken up the post in Ireland, with England Golf appointing Lucy Blakey, a former Project Of¿ cer with Lincolnshire County Sports Partnership. Wales Golf has appointed Simon Lu who joins from Race Equality First, while Scottish Golf has employed Carol Harvey, previously a Regional Development Of¿ cer with Netball Scotland. Duncan Weir, Executive Director – Golf Development at The R&A, said, “Women and girls continue to be an under-represented group throughout golf across the world and more work needs to be done to attract more of them into the sport at a time when we need to boost participation levels. “We believe that there is a real opportunity, working with our af¿ liates, to develop inclusive and inspiring participation initiatives which show that golf is a fun and enjoyable leisure activity that can provide many social and health bene¿ ts for women and families.” A recent research report commissioned by The R&A demonstrates that a signi¿ cant growth opportunity exists for golf if it can attract more women, girls and families into playing the sport more often. GolfPlus Junior June-July 2018 7