GIVEN the desperate need to boost membership numbers, most golf clubs aremaking a determined effort to ‘catch them young’ by offering great deals and offers to attract juniors.

Two such clubs in our area are Woodsome Hall and Huddersfield, both of whom are launching junior initiatives this year.

Junior golf is booming at Woodsome, and this month the club have planned an evening with European Challenge Tour professional Chris Hanson who will talk about what it’s like to play ‘on tour’ in countries such as Kenya, India and Oman.

He will also provide golf tips, advice and hold a question and answer session.

Head professional John Eyre is one of the top golf tutors in the North of England – he coaches at County level as well as being the chief coach for the Halifax, Huddersfield Union Senior and Juniors teams – and is backed up by assistants Adam Durie and David Astin.

Woodsome’s Junior coordinator Anne Taylor has unveiled a comprehensive programme of events for juniors this year which includes coaching sessions, club competitions, a Junior Open in September and an Adult and Junior Open in October.

“It’s a simple plan for 2013,” said Taylor. “We give all our Juniors lots of encouragement and help, with a clear focus on them gaining a handicap and getting onto the golf course as soon as possible.”

The club believe that regular coaching sessions, held throughout the season, help even the youngest members to both enjoy their golf and make friends.

Meanwhile Huddersfield Golf Club are launching a new golf fund for juniors by Jill Brook in memory of her late husband David, who passed away last year.

David, who was a keen supporter of junior golf, was a former captain and president of Huddersfield Golf Club. He was also a past president of the Halifax, Huddersfield and District Union in 1987, and represented Yorkshire.

The intention is to introduce golf to those who wouldn’t normally have the opportunity to play the game, leading to the award of five scholarships each year at Fixby.

The club’s head professional Alex Keighley will be running three ‘Have a go days’ in April and May, when local girls and boys, aged between 11 and 17, will have the chance to try the game for the first time.

The five most promising juniors from these events will be invited to take up the scholarships, which will include a full coaching schedule and junior membership at Huddersfield.

The three dates are Saturday, April 6 (12pm to 1.30pm), Saturday, April 20 (12pm to 1.30pm) and Wednesday, May 1 (5.30pm to 7pm).

To book in for one of above days, please call Alex Keighley, on 01484 426203.