Minchinhampton Golf Club, which is backing the drive to grow the game, has won a national award from England Golf.

The club, with 129 years of history, has just received the GolfMark award, an official seal of approval for clubs which successfully develop the game.

Minchinhampton has three outstanding courses, set high on the rolling Cotswolds where the glorious scenery complements the quality of the golf experience. This June it will host regional qualifying for The Open.

General manager Simon Pope commented: “We pride ourselves as being one of the friendliest and most welcoming clubs in the South West. Our members and visitors alike benefit from our first class facilities on both of our sites. We are delighted to have been chosen by the R&A to host the Open Championship Regional Qualifying in June and for the next five years.”

The club has run successful Get into Golf programmes for five years which have engaged the local community and created new members for the club.

This year’s free tasters will start in April and Simon said: “We hope to encourage a new batch of beginners to join in. Once signed up the participants will experience expert guidance from our PGA professionals and get to use our excellent practice facilities.”

GolfMark is awarded clubs which successfully work to develop the game in four ways:

• By attracting new members and encouraging existing members to play more

• Using practical business planning to develop the club

• Offering coaching and playing opportunities for all golfers

• Ensuring safeguarding policies are in place

The award was presented to Minchinhampton Golf Club by Debbie Casling, England Golf’s Club Support Officer for Gloucestershire. “I’m delighted that Minchinhampton Golf Club has achieved GolfMark and that its efforts to grow the game can be nationally recognised,” she said.

The GolfMark award was developed by England Golf and also integrates Sport England’s Clubmark award - a national standard for quality sports clubs recognised across the country.

GolfMark brings a number of benefits to clubs including raising awareness, access to funding, business and marketing support and training opportunities for staff and volunteers. To find out more visit www.golfmark.org