To our knowledge, there is no statistical information available on the age breakdown of  golf players in Belgium. We estimate that Belgium is not doing any better, and probably even worse, than England where only 8% of all club members are under 18 years of age. This is one of the lowest percentages in Europe and has caused the British  governing bodies to start  extensive grass roots golf promotion campaigns, targeted at school children across England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales.

In Belgium, not all golf organisations are equally convinced of the necessity to promote junior golf. How can we best use our time and funds to optimally promote this great sport?

The Junior Golf Foundation Belgium fosters the belief that golf is a sport for all and that participation in the game provides unique benefits for children by exposing them to the human values that are inherent to the sport at an important moment in their development. By incorperating the "Nine Core Values" (*) into our teaching and coaching programs, we aim to contribute to character development and the promotion of life-enhancing values amongst young golfers

Bringing more youngsters into golf will grow and rejuvenate the golf population, enlarge the pool of new (elite) talent and raise the general level of play.

Finally, we are convinced that a school program is the best way to win over the teaching staff, reach the youngsters and raise their interest in our game.

(*) The" Nine Core Values" have been established by The First Tee, an initiative of the World Golf Foundation in the USA that has as its mission: "To impact the life of young people by providing learning facilities and educational programs that promote character development and life-enhancing values through the game of golf."

School program