BOLTON golfers are clubbing together to support the drive to encourage more people into the sport across Lancashire.

A new development group has been launched in Bolton with the intention of providing a united approach to the challenge of attracting and retaining club members.

The idea is based on similar groups in the North West and sees the Bolton Development Group open its doors to clubs across East Lancashire.

Dunscar, Harwood, Breightmet, Bolton, Bolton Old Links and Regent Park golf clubs have been pooling their expertise to help grow the game for some time.

Now clubs across East Lancashire are being invited to their quarterly meetings which feature guest speakers and expert advice on topics such as the retention of existing members, marketing, social media, recruitment and safeguarding.

The new enlarged group, which held its first meeting at Dunscar Golf Club last week, has been established under the umbrella of the Lancashire Golf Development Group and will be looking to support campaigns like Get Into Golf, Golf Express and Girls Golf Rocks as well as establishing ways to work together to their mutual benefit.

Lancashire GDG club support officer Helen Searle said: “This is a major step forward to see clubs working collectively and sharing their successes and challenges, and being able to work together with a vision to grow and retain golfers in the East Lancashire area for years to come.

“Not long ago, clubs very much looked over their shoulders to see what other clubs were doing, but now they realise they are all in this together.

“Golf is peaking in so many ways, just look at the record number of spectators we have had this year. People like golf.

“It is important now that we showcase what the game has to offer to give stability to the future of our golf clubs.”

Clubs requiring further information should email H.Searle@englandgolf.org or call 07710 088 870.