Birmingham opens first 'pay and play' Tri-Golf course in England
August 4, 2010

Lickey Hills in Birmingham is now home to England's first pay and play Tri-Golf course, the 'mini' version of golf designed specifically for young children at infant, primary and junior school level.

Played with oversized and safe plastic clubs and foam balls, Tri-Golf provides affordable and easy access to golf for children and families looking to discover golf away from the larger and more difficult 18-hole courses. A game at Lickey Hills will cost just £1.20 for children and £1.80 for adults, with rental of clubs and balls and a scorecard all included from the golf shop.

The par 24, 220 metre 6 hole layout, which has the usual tees, bunkers, scrubs and trees to provide a proper golfing challenge, was built following a £7,500 Sport England 'Award for All' grant to Rose Hill GC, whose home is the Lickey Hills municipal course, one of Birmingham's oldest public courses. The Tri-Golf course sits right next door, alongside tennis, bowls, kite flying, lake and nature walks already taking place within the Lickey Hills country park.

	Councillor Martin Mullaney gives Tri-Golf a go with local children

Councillor Martin Mullaney, Cabinet Member for Sport, Leisure and Culture at Birmingham City Council, said: "When I took up this post I was determined to make our golf provision even more accessible to young people and families and I am delighted that we in Birmingham have been able to create the first course of its kind in England. This is a real opportunity to get children and families more physically active whilst enjoying the benefits of this game and it's a great way of getting outside in the fresh air and appreciating what is a great sport to play both recreationally and professionally."

The hope is that this fun, low-cost form of golf will encourage children to take up the sport, perhaps following in the footsteps of 95-year-old Bernard Preston, former golf professional and the oldest PGA member in the country, who has endorsed the scheme. "TriGolf is just what we need to encourage more children to take up the game that, hopefully for some, will last a lifetime. As Club President I'm proud of Rose Hill being the first golf club in England to build a course specifically for children to play, and the Council's greenkeepers deserve much praise on designing and building such a beautiful quality course," said Preston at the opening.

The course will also be used by local schools and community groups as part of Golf Roots, the junior golf activity programme sponsored by The Golf Foundation, a charity championing junior golf throughout the country. The demand for golf by schools has never been higher, as the game has been used to teach children many 'skills-for-life' such as honesty, integrity, teamwork and discipline.

Lickey Hills Tri-Golf course is open throughout the year, seven days a week, and a game will cost less than a visit to your local burger restaurant - and be much healthier too! It's open to all ages, and there are even benches on every hole for those who'd rather just watch, or feel like a rest between shots. For anyone looking to get more serious, beginner's lessons can also be arranged through the Golf Pro by telephoning 0121 453 3159.