Catterick Golf Club is laying out the red carpet to welcome new junior members.

Called 'The Vision for Junior Golf,' it was the brainchild of the club's professional, Andy Marshall and Junior Liaison Officer Peter Bowden.

The scheme offers free tuition, free membership, free loan of all equipment and features no dress restrictions.

It's been initiated to bring youngsters into the game who otherwise may not have considered golf.

The scheme is offered through local schools and is available to five pupils per year at each of over a dozen schools and tuition is between September and April.

The tuition will be up to Golf Foundation Bronze Medal standard and memberships commence in April 2001.

The move is fully endorsed by the club's management committee who believe the scheme is essential to promote an up and coming junior membership.

All monies to purchase the golf equipment available for loan was raised within the club by raffles and other fun-raising efforts.

Club secretary, Mrs Diane Hopkin, said: "I am in full support of these ideas and am expecting the scheme to be a great success.

"I've always seen the stuffy image of golf, together with the complications of going through membership procedures, and acquiring all the necessary equipment and clothing before you have even tried the game, a draw-back for the majority of youngsters.

"I hope this is an opportunity for us to cut through some of the red tape and show golf for the great game it is."

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