Linwood children tee off at Parley Golf Centre

Parley swings into golf action with Linwood School. Parley pro Andrew Pakes (far right) next to Mark Dutson from Linwood School with Anne Winfield from the school (far left).

Students from Linwood School in Bournemouth have been getting their swings down to a ‘T’ thanks to Parley Golf Centre.

The young people who have additional learning needs have become keen students of the game since it was introduced as a PE option.

The weekly sessions with Parley pro Andrew Pakes have already seen great improvement with the novices’ hand-eye co-ordination.

The club is soon to open its new £250,000 facilities including a new course, large practice green, short game area, bunker training element and state-of-the-art indoor coaching centre.

It is also continuing to reach out to women golfers, junior players and is actively getting schools involved.

Andrew, who also runs the golf shop at Parley, said: “The young people are very good to coach and what I have noticed is that they all encourage each other.

“It’s also good to see the improvement over a short time and it also means when they see golf on the television they can relate to it.

“Putting something back into the community is part of the Parley ethos and I hope the students will enjoy the new facilities when they open.”

Mark Dutson from Linwood School said: “Andrew is a very good instructor and golf is now one of the most popular PE option.

“It is very good at developing hand-eye co-ordination and also improves confidence.”

Linwood School is a day special school that welcomes pupils from a wide geographical area, supporting a comprehensive range of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.

 

Notes to editors:

Parley Golf Centre in Dorset is set within a beautiful 800 acre farming estate next to the River Stour close to Bournemouth Airport.

It is home to the 17th century Parley Manor and to Parley Equestrian Centre. Wildlife includes roe deer, badgers, foxes and a pair of rare Grey Partridges. And you are likely to see a family of alpacas roaming around too!

Parley Golf Centre opened in 1991 as a six-hole course, but quickly expanded to nine holes and a 27-bay, floodlit driving range was added.

Currently the site is being transformed into a centre of excellence (which does not affect the course). When completed it will be twice its current size.

The nine-hole course is being rebuilt with carefully configured tees allowing for a round of 18 with a total distance of 5,111 yards.

There will be a huge short-game practice area, bunker practice facility as well as a state-of-the-art indoor coaching centre.

Also being built are several ‘academy’ holes from 50 – 100 yards. The café-bar remains a popular venue for golfers and non-golfers alike.

Head greenkeeper Ian Noble is assisted by Mark Gregory and John Morey.

Resident professionals include Chris Brook, Marcus Urbye, Andrew Pakes and Peter Thompson.

 

For more information contact Ed Baker at Deep South Media on 01202 534487 or 07788392965