Golf stars heap praise on Knutsford’s young players

Top names from the golfing world joined in celebrating the achievements of young players from Knutsford at a specially arranged socially distanced presentation evening.

Youngsters from the Junior Section at Knutsford Golf Club were thrilled to hear video messages from professionals Graeme McDowell, Danny Willett, Tommy Fleetwood, Ian Poulter, and Shane Lowry praising them on their hard work as part of the event marking the end of another successful season.

Knutsford’s popular professional Tim Maxwell and his Bexton schoolteacher wife Suzie run the friendly Junior Section and arranged for the video messages to be shared on the evening.

Tim said “In the past golf legends Graeme McDowell and Tommy Fleetwood have both kindly attended two presentations each but with COVID restrictions things were necessarily different  this year.

“We have perhaps the most active junior section in Cheshire with over 20 events taking place each year – all these are sponsored by individual Knutsford members. The members are some of the friendliest in the north west and our juniors have recently been encouraged to play in senior events to develop confidence and social skills as well as helping them to improve as golfers.

A youngster from the Junior Section in action with Golf Pro Tim Maxwell’

“A lot of the juniors’ parents have joined the club so there is a real family atmosphere which is terrific.”

Historic Knutsford Golf Club, founded in 1891 by Lord Egerton of Tatton, is set in one of Cheshire’s most stunning locations.

With views of Tatton Park, its course uniquely has 10 holes and the thriving Junior Section stages competitions throughout the spring and summer.

Club Secretary Peter Gough  added: “We hope to encourage people  thinking about getting into golf to reach out to us.

“It is important now more than ever to be able to get out and play when the current regulations allow. Giving young people, indeed all generations, the platform to get out onto the course with other like-minded people in the fresh air getting exercise and having a sense of achievement is so important for mental health and general fitness and well-being, especially in these difficult times.

“We are looking forward to the next season and seeing the current juniors develop as well as welcoming in new players.”

Jon Cusselle, a parent of one of the junior boys said: “Tim and Suzie Maxwell run an amazing junior section where all the boys and girls get top notch coaching and play competitions and matches at the club. It is great for me as a parent as we can play as a family and the Juniors are always made welcome by other members.

“To cap it all we have the support of global golf superstars like GMac (Graeme MacDowell), Poults (Ian Poulter), Tommy (Fleetwood), Shane (Lowry), and Danny (Willett). Some of these gents have attended the presentations in the past, what a tremendous boost for our Juniors, and this time they took time out to record video messages! We’re so glad to be members at Knutsford and are looking forward to playing together in competitions.”

The club welcomes adults to its ladies and men’s sections and boys and girls under 18 to its junior section.

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