Arrange A Round Team Up With Mental Health Campaign "The Club Talks". See

Designed to make it easier for golfers to find playing partners or to expand their social group, Arrange A Round specifically addresses some of the difficulties facing new golfers and new members as they integrate into a golf club. With the Mental Health benefits of playing golf being widely recognised by health professionals and campaigners, Arrange A Round is teaming up with The Club Talks to further its work removing barriers to accessing the game and raise vital funds to support mental health charity C.A.L.M.

“I designed Arrange A Round to make it easier for golfers to integrate into club life following my own experiences of joining a new club,” commented Arrange A Round founder Michael Smith. “Increased activity, time spent outdoors and a community of friends with time to talk on the course are some of the factors that make golf such a wonderful sport, but they’re also really important benefits for improving mental health and combatting isolation and loneliness. With such a perfect match in our aims, I’m really excited to work with Ryan and help raise funds for The Club Talks.”

The Club Talks is a Mental Health campaign set up by avid golfer and golf media owner Ryan Curtis. After becoming aware of the fact that suicide is the biggest killer of men under the age of 45, Ryan decided to use his golf media platform and experience of golf’s mental health benefits to take action in support of Mental Health charity C.A.L.M. “The Club Talks is more than just a talking shop,” commented Ryan. “We want to normalise discussion about mental health and take positive action to signpost young men to where they can get help if they need it. We’re also providing training for Mental Health first aiders in golf clubs who will be on hand to help out anyone in need of support. Golf has the ability to be a transformative activity in people’s lives and we hope that by working with clubs, and with businesses like Arrange A Round who are addressing barriers to entry in the game, we can have a significant impact on the lives of young men.”

Michael concludes, “Arrange A Round makes it so much easier for new golf club members to integrate into a club, find new social groups and to play more golf. By working with The Club Talks, we hope more clubs will sign up to a free trial of Arrange A Round. This will enable them to break down some of the barriers to integrating new members, make golf a more accessible option for people who might not find it easy to take that first step, and ultimately raise money to support the fantastic work of The Club Talks.”

The Club Talks is primarily funded through Captain’s Charity donations. Any golf club or captain that would like to learn more about getting involved with the campaign should visit www.theclubtalks.com Golfers can sign up to Arrange A Round for free at www.arrangearound.com They can also support the partnership with the Club Talks by introducing their clubs to the benefits of Arrange A Round and the free 6 month trial via info@arrangearound.com

Ray joined Ganton in 1971 as an apprentice and rose to become an invaluable, highly knowledgeable and greatly admired member of the team.

Ray has been involved in presenting Ganton for many Regional, National and International championships and matches, including the Walker Cup, Curtis Cup and R&A Amateur Championships; he has also witnessed some ‘big name’ winners at Ganton, including Professional wins for Bernard Gallagher and Nick Faldo, and amateur wins for Jose Maria Olazabal and Rory McIlroy. This year Ganton will host the R&A Seniors Amateur Championship and the Brabazon Trophy. The appreciation of Ray’s service to the Club was given by Adam Dewhirst, Chair of Green, following which presentations were made to Ray and his wife Gilly by the Captain and Lady Captain on behalf of the Club, and by Past Captain Tony Denness on behalf of the Ganton Trust.

The presentations included a specially compiled album of photographs covering Ray’s 50 years at Ganton, with a splendid early-morning photograph of Ray at work on the cover.

Ray was then invited to ‘cut the ribbon’ to officially open the new Greenkeeping Building and unveiled the permanent commemorative plaque that will be erected on the wall to celebrate this event and his 50yr service.

Ray made a passionate speech about his time at Ganton which was received well be the many Club members and staff who were in attendance. Ray commented that he intended to enjoy his retirement with his family, and looks forward to returning to Ganton for a game of golf now and again. Managing Secretary, Gary Pearce, commented ‘’it’s rare that anyone achieves 50yrs service with a single employer, especially in such a physically demanding role as green keeping. Ray’s hard work and loyalty to Ganton has been appreciated by members, guests and his colleagues over the years; he is due a rest, and we all wish him a long and happy retirement’’.

On conclusion of the formal proceedings, Members were invited to inspect the fantastic new green compound and new machinery, which replaces the facilities and equipment that was lost in a fire over a year ago. Green staff were on hand to explain the intricacies of the hi-tech equipment now essential for maintaining a worldclass course such as Ganton.

Kirkby Lonsdale Golf Club would like to increase its membership but it also wants to help boost the local economy by attracting visitors to the area.

It has set up a range of ‘Stay and Play’ offers with local hotels. The staycation packages include accommodation, meals and rounds of golf at the picturesque club, which nestles in the lovely Lune Valley between Casterton and Barbon.

It is also creating a special promotional leaflet - ‘Destination Kirkby Lonsdale’ - aimed at encouraging people to visit the area and take in a round of golf at the same time.

“The idea is to attract golfers with their partners and families for ‘stay and play’ visits to the area,” said club member Robin Ree. “We are in South Lakeland and the Yorkshire Dales National Park and close to the Lake District. This is fabulous walking country and the town of Kirkby Lonsdale has such a lot to offer.”

There was a resurgent interest in golf, locally and nationally, said golf club secretary and manager David Towers. “We enjoyed the best first week in April for five years - there is a real hunger for golf,” he said.

Membership is on the increase and stands at around 380 members, including an active and growing group of lady members.

The club has various initiatives planned to attract even more members.

Assistant PGA trainee Ellie Broome has boosted the number of juniors, aged from five to 18, at the club to around 60 over the past year by running regular Saturday morning classes and school holiday golfing camps when Covid restrictions allowed. The iconic tee shot at the par 5 10th hole at Kirkby Lonsdale Golf Club

Golfers enjoying the sunshine on the 9th hole at Kirkby Lonsdale Golf Club

Ellie Broome, Kirkby Lonsdale Golf Club's Assistant PGA Trainee, leading off a group of juniors down the 1st hole