GOLF: Seckford Golf Club is to stage its first series of lessons under the umbrella of the Junior Golf Foundation. The Suffolk club makes a big commitment to bringing youngsters into the game, and being made a Starter Centre by the Junior Golf Foundation is testament to the quality of the club's facilities and the dedication of its coaching staff.

SECKFORD Golf Club is to stage its first series of lessons under the umbrella of the Junior Golf Foundation.

The Suffolk club makes a big commitment to bringing youngsters into the game, and being made a Starter Centre by the Junior Golf Foundation is testament to the quality of the club's facilities and the dedication of its coaching staff.

Simon Jay, Seckford's PGA professional, is now planning the first group courses for juniors that will follow the Merit Award Scheme designed by the Foundation which has Nick Faldo as a patron.

It aims to give youngsters set levels to achieve that maximise their progress, and above all makes the game fun.

The scheme gives them the incentive and opportunity to learn and improve their skills, understand the rules and improve golf course play.

It has 18 levels within six awards, including two categories of preliminary levels. Each young golfer is able to measure his or her progress and be rewarded for their efforts.

Junior lessons will start during the Easter holiday at Seckford. It will start with an open clinic this Saturday from 2-4 pm. There are two one-hour sessions priced at only £3 each. These open clinics will run every following Saturday from 2-3pm.

The first merit award course – the Hawk Award for preliminary levels – will begin in the week starting Monday, April 1 and will consist of three two-hour sessions from 10am to noon on the Monday, Wednesday and Friday of that week. The cost of the whole course is £18 per child.

Starting on Saturday, April 6 from 3-4 pm will be the next merit award course – the Red Award. It will run at the same time on a Saturday for the following five weeks – ending on May 11 – and will cost £20 per child.

Jay said: "We are very serious about becoming a golfing academy and being recognised by the Junior Golf Foundation is a tremendous boost.

"It enables us to offer young players the opportunity to learn through the official Golf Foundation Award Scheme which is the best available. Any youngster who wants to take up the game should come and take part."

Anybody wanting to book or requires further information, should contact Seckford Golf Club on 01394 388000.