SALE Golf Club, which is backing the drive to grow the game, has won a national award from England Golf.

Sale has just become the first club in the Mersey Valley to receive the GolfMark award – and only the eighth in the whole of Cheshire.

GolfMark is an official seal of approval for clubs which successfully work to develop the game in four ways:

• By attracting new members and encouraging existing members to play more

• Using practical business planning to develop the club

• Offering coaching and playing opportunities for all golfers

• Ensuring safeguarding policies are in place

Over the last year Sale has forged new links in the community, welcomed new members and worked hard to retain existing members by providing the golfing experience they want.

They ran a host of 'Get into Golf' courses for men and women beginners, which lead towards club membership.

Manager John Jackson also led a schools’ programme which introduced more than 1,000 children to golf and strengthened the club’s place in the local community.

Now, Sale is looking forward to growing its junior section.

The award was presented to Sale by Sean Hammill, an England Golf club support officer for Cheshire.

He said: “I am delighted that Sale Golf Club has been recognised with this award.

"At the start of 2017 recruitment and marketing plans were put in place that have paid dividends in growing membership and strengthening community links.”

The GolfMark award was developed by England Golf and also integrates Sport England’s Clubmark award – a national standard for quality sports clubs recognised across the country.

GolfMark brings a number of benefits to clubs including raising awareness, access to funding, business and marketing support and training opportunities for staff and volunteers. To find out more visit www.golfmark.org.