BDGC JUNIOR SECTION

Welcome to Junior Section at BDGC and we hope you enjoy many years of happy golfing with us.  BDGC embraces all juniors and over the years have seen some very notable golfers come through the Junior Ranks:

Vivien Saunders OBE, founder of the Women's PGA, a former Women's British Open Champion, Curtis Cup Player and England Coach for 18 years.

Ross McGowan PGA Tour Professional, ex junior and current member.  Ross began his golf at BDGC.  He went to the University of Tennessee and turned Professional after Winning the English Amateur in 2006. Ross won his first European Tour Event in 2009 winning the Madrid Masters and finished 2nd in the inaugural Dubai World Championship.

In addition the club has two previous junior members who are currently on the tour.  Henry Smart and Louis Hirst, who are still attached to BDGC and are currently playing on the Jamega Tour and the Euro Pro Tour.  Henry and ex junior Graham Powell (now a full member playing off +2) won the prestigious Sunningdale Foursomes in 2017.   Henry also won the Tillman Trophy at Hunstanton in 2011 and in 2019 he won the Gosling’s International Invitational Tournament at Belmont Hills in Bermuda

Claire London another ex junior and current member played for the Surrey Ladies 1st Team, won the Surrey Ladies Scratch, Surrey Ladies Scratch Foursomes and Rothschild Trophy and was part of the winning BDGC Ladies Team who won the Hicks Trophy - Surrey Ladies Scratch Team Knockout. 

James Weigall ex junior and current member won the London Evening Standard Men’s Match Play Championship. There are many ex juniors who are now full members in the main club and represent Banstead Downs Golf Club in many events.

The Junior Section is open to girls and boys.  We have a flourishing section and are always happy to recruit new members including less experienced players.  Ranging in age between 8 and 18, a number of junior members have official handicaps.  To help ALL new junior members we have a coaching program with the team of Professionals at the club. The lessons cover Driving, Iron play, Short Game (including Chipping, Bunker Play and Putting).  One of the many benefits of being a member of Banstead Downs Golf Club is that we have four tee positions ranging from the blue tees (beginners, and young juniors) through to the white tees used for championship events. This ensures that all juniors regardless of ability or age can enjoy the course and participate in most competitions.  There is also the benefit of a Junior WhatsApp group where Junior’s can contact each other for a social game and the Junior Organisers can post important information.

We have a Junior Organising Team – Mandy Hiscocks, Matt Robinson, Annabel Faulkner, Joyce Mason, Mel Rayner & Sue Suggitt and the Junior Captain is Ellis Jarrold.

Throughout the year we have regular competitions. There is a Winter Junior Order of Merit and a Summer Junior Order of Merit and an end of season competition and dinner.

In addition to the club competitions, Juniors at BDGC get the opportunity to play in competitive matches by representing the club in external competitions including the Kingston League, the Keppler Trophy and the Fairways Trophy, as well as attending Junior Opens.

BRIEF HISTORY OF BANSTEAD DOWNS GOLF CLUB

Before you settle into reading the information pack, here is a very brief history about your Golf Club, which was established a long time ago and has an interesting past.

The Club was founded in 1890 by ladies and was Sutton Ladies Golf Club.  Sutton Ladies Golf Club was completely unique and was a world first!  Originally just twelve holes, the course (purported to have been designed by Willie Dunn Jnr) had the starting hole at the current 13th.   The first Club House was a tin shed near the Railway Cottages where players brought their own food with chops and steaks cooked by the occupants of the cottages! In 1893 it became Sutton Golf Club.  By 1896 there were two separate courses with the ladies playing a 9 hole course and the men an 18 hole course.  All 27 holes were crammed into the space where we now have 12 holes!  In March 1896 the committee decided that the Club uniform should be a red coat with green collar, brass buttons with the initials ‘SGC’ and red coats had to be worn when playing!  In 1899 approval was given for land to be purchased at the then junction of Burdon Lane and a new Club House was built.   The existing tin ‘club house’ at the 13th was transported and attached to the new building.  The new, lengthened 18 hole course, designed by J H Taylor was opened in 1904 and the club’s name was changed to Banstead Downs Golf Club.  The course has undergone numerous alterations but with the proposed widening of the Brighton Road, holes 7 - 12 had to be completely re-designed and the Club turned to James Braid to do this.  Braid spun holes 7 – 12 around and redesigned the lot.  The redesigned golf course was officially opened on the 27th May 1934.

The course was originally described as a ‘links’ course and owing to the chalky, subsoil the fine down-land turf the course drains well and dries quickly making it playable nearly all year round. The course was also considered ‘unusual’ for it originally had five short holes (Par 3’s) all running from north to south.

The course contains sites of archaeological interest.  The 2nd green was once an ancient chalk pit.  Gally Hills - ancient round barrows in an area near the 13th Green, it included an ancient monument and it is reputed that bones of a highwaymen were unearthed here!  The 7th fairway ‘hole’ on the right hand side of the fairway has been under debate for many years, some say it was a hide for highwaymen for attacks on coaches others insist it is a bomb crater. Evidently highwaymen were hanged by the 10th tee!

To the right of the 18th Fairway set back near the edge of the trees near the ladies tee, is a memorial to 2nd Lieutenant Andrew Jackson, an American pilot who was based in Oxfordshire during World War 11.  His aircraft developed problems during a training flight for the Normandy Invasions and he took a heroic, selfless act to not bail out and ride his plane down to avoid populated areas.  He crashed on the golf course, his aircraft destroyed and he was killed.  He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Much progress and many changes have been accomplished over the years, including an extended, remodeled clubhouse, a lengthened improved course with an updated watering system and much more. 

Enjoy your golf at Banstead Downs, which as you can see is steeped in history.

JUNIOR GUIDELINES

·       Boys and Girls under the age of 18 may be elected as Junior Members and may remain Junior Members until the next subscription year after their 19th Birthday.

·       Junior Members will be permitted to play at any time Monday to Friday, subject to the website Calendar or Booking System (competitions and matches have priority).  In addition, at weekends Juniors are permitted to use the start times as Full Members but not before 9.30 GMT (10.30 BST).

·       Junior members with a maximum handicap of 28 (36 for girls) may play in monthly medals and stableford competitions on weekdays without time restrictions and at weekends after 12.00.  If entering a club competition Junior Members under 18 years of age will not be eligible to participate in any sweepstake thereon.  Junior members may also play in certain adult competitions subject to the approval of the Golf Committee.

·       Please be aware that Banstead Downs Golf Club is on common ground so is used by the public as well as golfers. 

·       On the course:

·       It is advised that Junior Members should not play on the course on their own.  

·       Junior Members aged 14 and under should be accompanied by an adult when playing on the course. 

·       When playing the course the A217 road has to be crossed at least twice.  It is very important that the BDGC Road Crossing Policy Document is read and signed by parents and returned to the office. 

·       Juniors are permitted to play socially together but must adhere to the start times and use the tee booking system or book in the Pro Shop.  If playing socially they should check in at the Pro Shop before going out to play.

·       Juniors should carry a mobile phone with them when playing social golf, which should only be used in an emergency.  The Golf Club number is on the course scorecard; however, please have the Golf Club number and an emergency contact number on the phone.  Juniors are encouraged to use the ‘what3words’ app.

·       BDGC has very reasonable Junior Fees and when joining the main club at 19 there is no Entry Fee for our Junior Members and the annual subscription is very competitively priced.

PARENTAL SUPPORT

As the parents of our juniors [or adults responsible for them] you are very important to us, both for the success of the junior section and the future of our golf club.

Please be encouraged to take an active part and to engage with the organisers, other parents, adults and juniors when at the club for either golf or social meetings.

We would welcome your support and assistance with:

·       Supporting the golf club Safeguarding Policy.

·       Taking an interest in and supportive of your children’s activity and progress.

·       Introducing yourself to organisers and officials, feel free to talk with the Junior Organisers, parent volunteers, PGA Professionals, General Manager/Club Welfare Officer.

·       Finding out what the club offers, when coaching and junior competitions are arranged, be aware of playing restrictions and membership category limitations.

·       Making yourselves and your child aware of the Junior Information contents, and encouraging young people to adopt the good practice guidance.

·       Complying with the supervision requirements for young children playing on the course.

·       Being punctual when dropping off or picking up your child/children for/from coaching and competitions.

·       If leaving your child at the club please ensure they have their bar card or sufficient spending money, appropriate clothing (i.e. a hat to protect them from the sun, waterproofs) snacks and a drink to take in their bag as dehydration occurs even if it is not that warm.

·       Ensuring that the club has an emergency contact number for you when you are away from the club. A mobile phone number is preferable, and that you leave your mobile telephone switched on so that we may contact you should an emergency arise.

·       Club House Changing Rooms - are used by both members and visitors.  Adults use the changing rooms throughout the day for changing & showering.  On busy days we advise that all Junior Members should use the toilet for the disabled unless accompanied by their parents to use the facilities in the changing rooms.  The toilet for the disabled is at the bottom of the main corridor.  Where a parent/carer does not consent to their child accessing the changing rooms, it is their responsibility to either supervise the child while in the changing rooms or ensure that they do not use them.

It is essential that you have fully completed all the necessary policy documents forms that have been sent to you and return them to the Office at the Club.   Informing the Office or the Welfare Officer of any changes during the year to enable the office to update all information.  Forms must be completed each year when renewing membership and returned to the office.

GOLF ETIQUETTE

·       Golf is played for the most part, without the supervision of a referee or umpire, relying upon the integrity of the individual to show consideration for other players and to abide by the Rules.

·       All players should conduct themselves correctly, demonstrating courtesy and sportsmanship at all times, irrespective of how competitive they may be. This is the spirit of the game of golf.

·       First and foremost we want you to enjoy golf and, if you observe the basic rules of golf etiquette, everyone will have a great round or coaching session.

·       These rules are intended to keep the course in good condition and prevent slow play by players of all standards.

Think of this as a sort of golfers’ Highway Code.

·       Junior members should conduct themselves in a polite and proper manner at all times both on and off the course.

·       Junior members must remember golf is a game of “trust” and should play the game fairly and honestly.

·       There are many rules of golf.  In 2019 a simplified set of rules was introduced.  Try and learn the basic rules and always ask if you are unsure of a rule.  Rule Books are available at the cub.

·       Be punctual at all times and be on the tee ready to tee off at least five minutes before a competition start time.

·       Remember if you are marking a card you are responsible for keeping track of the number of shots on each hole for the ‘player’ as well as your own score ‘marker’.

·       Make sure you have your name, date HANDICAP and the name of the competition written on your scorecard before you exchange cards.  Crosscheck scores (especially the gross score on each hole) at the end of the round and remember to sign both scorecards.

·       Keep up with the group playing in front of you but be aware of the group behind you; if you lose a clear hole with the group in front, you MUST invite the group behind to play through at the earliest opportunity.  Let faster groups through.

·       When searching for a ball you are allowed three minutes, always consider letting the players behind play through.

·       Players with the “honour” for winning a hole should tee off at the next hole before marking the scorecard.

·       Play ‘ready golf’ in stroke play competitions or friendly games as long as it is safe to do so.

·       Plan your next shot whilst walking to your ball.  Once at your ball you should take no more than 40 seconds to play your next shot.

·       Play a provisional ball if you are unsure where your ball may have landed/finished.

·       Ensure you leave your trolley or golf bag at the point where you are likely to leave the green to walk to the next tee.  Do not take bags or trollies onto the green or take trollies over the fringes of the green. 

EXPECTATIONS OF JUNIOR MEMBERS

·       Appreciate that you are valued for the role you play in golf and that you are an ambassador both for the Junior Section and Banstead Downs Golf Club on and off the course.

·       On becoming a member of the junior section, we hope you will support and take part within the junior section, attending fixtures, entering competitions and when possible representing Banstead Downs Golf Club. 

·       Help to create and maintain an environment, which is enjoyable and where participation is important.

·       Respect other golfers, being polite and courteous at all times – treat them all as you would like to be treated yourself.

·       Demonstrate fair play and be honest applying golf’s standards both on and off the course.  Treat organisers and coaches with respect.

·       Look out for your own safety and the safety of others.

·       Tell someone if you are leaving a venue or competition.

·       Be organised and on time.

·       Take care of the course – repair divots, pitch marks on the greens and rake bunkers. Never pull trolleys over greens or tees.

·       Listen, learn, improve and enjoy

A FEW TOP TIPS

·       Don’t go out on the course on your own.

·       Store the number of the Golf Club on your mobile phone 0208 642 2284 Ext 2 for the Pro Shop or Ext 3 for the Bar.  Keep your mobile phone with you when on the course for use in case of an emergency.

·       If you or someone with you is ill, in need of help or you are concerned in any way phone the Club straight away: tell them who you are, where you are and what the problem is. Try and attract the attention of other golfers nearby.

·       Check that you will not hit anyone with your club when you swing or that your ball will not hit anyone as it flies down the fairway. Do not allow others to stand to the front of you when playing your ball.

·       Speak out if you have concerns about anything, whether that be your own needs or the needs of others.

USEFUL CONTACTS:

Bob Marchbanks – General Manager and Club Welfare Officer manager@bansteaddowns.co.uk

Rebecca Paterson – Club Secretary

rebecca@bansteaddowns.co.uk  

Mandy Hiscocks – Golf Committee & Junior Organiser - amandahiscocks@gmail.com