BRAMSHAW Golf Club has been awarded the national ‘SafeGolf’ accreditation by the sport’s governing body, England Golf.

Bramshaw, the oldest golf club in Hampshire, is also the first golf club in the county to achieve this accreditation.

Bramshaw GC has for many years placed significant focus and emphasis on ‘growing the game’ with an active junior academy and a strong junior section.

In addition, the club runs 'Get into Golf' sessions for adults and juniors and prides itself on welcoming new members of all ages.

The SafeGolf award acknowledges the work undertaken by professionals, management, committees and members to provide a safe and friendly environment in which to learn and play golf.

Andy Rideout, general manager, said: “Being the oldest club anywhere sometimes gives a golf club a reputation as old fashioned. Luckily that couldn’t be further from the truth at Bramshaw.

"It is a truly great club; friendly, welcoming and above all forward-thinking. This award will help us spread the message that Bramshaw and golf is open to all.

"It’s a great Club to learn to play golf. Thank you to all the people who made this award possible and thank you to England Golf for their support.”

The award was presented to Bramshaw by Tom Jessamine, England Golf’s club support officer for the south west.

He said: “I’m delighted that Bramshaw has achieved SafeGolf and that its efforts to grow the game can be nationally recognised.”

The SafeGolf is a partnership of UK golf bodies committed to promoting a safe and positive environment for all those participating, working and volunteering in the sport of golf. It has been established to help golf respond to the issue of child protection in sport.

Its mission is to safeguard the welfare of children and young people, as well as adults at risk, in the sport of golf.

SafeGolf is a website (www.safegolf.org) through which anyone with a concern about the welfare of a player, or the behaviour or practice of a coach, volunteer, organiser, parent or a player, can contact the lead safeguarding officer at their national governing body.

Secondly, it is the safeguarding standard England Golf will promote to all their affiliated clubs to ensure all clubs provide a safe and positive experience to children and young people whilst playing golf.

The PGA are also using the standards to apply to all their PGA professional Coaches.