Newport school opens golf course in playground

The golf course has been created on the asphalt playground

An inner city school in Newport is celebrating the launch of its new purpose-built golf course in the school's asphalt playground.

Children from St Andrew's Junior School got the golfing bug after following the Ryder Cup-themed schools curriculum developed by Newport council.

The school worked with a sports grounds designer to create a course tailored around the school's playground.

The golf course was opened by Newport's Mayor on St Andrew's Day, 30 November.

Head teacher Vaughan Thomas explained that the children's interest in golf developed after they followed the Ryder Cup curriculum in September.

The curriculum was developed by Newport Council and the European golf tour and was followed by children in years 2-8 for seven weeks to coincide with the world famous golf competition.

Children from the school went to Celtic Manor before the Ryder Cup in October and had some coaching with the golf pros there.

"A number of the children showed real golfing talent and enjoyed taking part in the golfing activities which are something they wouldn't normally participate in." he added.

The course has portable holes and staggered teeing off spots to suit different abilities

Mr Thomas said that their challenge as a school was to maintain the interest in golf in a non-golf environment.

Working in partnership with Dragon Sports and Golf Wales the school looked at playing tri-golf, golf especially suited to young children.

After receiving a community grant from Newport council, the school began working with Neil Belsham from South Wales Sports Grounds to create the course at the Corporation Road school on the asphalt playground.

Mr Thomas says the children helped with the course design by chipping golf balls on the yard and noting the natural run of the playground.

The 73 x 137 metre (80 x 150 yard) course was then designed around the contours of the playground and created in a synthetic all-weather material.

The course has been designed to make use of the limited area. There are three greens at one end, plus water features and bunkers.

To avoid trip hazards on the golf course the holes are portable and can be positioned anywhere on the greens.

There are teeing off spots around the course that increase in difficulty suitable for younger and older children.

Mr Thomas says they hope that having a golf course in the school will appeal to the children who are interested in something other than mainstream sports such as rugby, football and netball.

"As far as I'm aware we're one of the first if not the first inner city school in Wales to have their own golf course" he adds.

"After all the excitement of the Ryder Cup I hope that the golf course will provide a lasting legacy for the school and will be something other schools might look to develop."

Mr Thomas said that the presence of three American teachers from Buffalo, New York who are on an exchange programme would give the day a true Ryder Cup feel.