GOLF: Stalwart June in a class of her own

10:09am Sunday 9th March 2008

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NORTH Wilts stalwart June Poffley has been honoured by the England Golf Partnership for services to the junior game, writes Ernie Newell.

Mrs Poffley was one of only two women among the five recipients in the Partnership's inaugural Volunteer of the Year Awards.

She was a winner in the "club development" category and received her award from England Golf Partnership chairman Bill Bryce at last week's presentations at Woodhall Spa.

Mrs Poffley, a Calne schoolteacher, has been a member of the 118-year-old North Wilts club at Blacklands, near Devizes, for 17 years and is a former women's captain.

She is the organiser of the club's thriving junior section and devotes much of her time to encouraging youngsters, especially girls, to take up the game.

Her nomination for the award from the Wiltshire Golf Partnership, which comprises the Wiltshire County Golf Union, Wiltshire Ladies County Golf Association and the Wiltshire PGA, stated: "June sets the standards for a club junior organiser."

She plays a prominent part in North Wilts' Junior Golf Weeks when local youngsters are offered free coaching and playing opportunities, and also visits local schools to introduce the game to pupils through Tri-Golf. This initiative has brought the club many new junior members.

A Tri-Golf course is, in fact, being built on the North Wilts club's practice ground and will host school festivals.

She was largely responsible for North Wilts becoming the first club in the county to achieve the Junior GolfMark accreditation, which recognises the club as a junior-friendly facility for coaching and playing.

Commenting on her honour, she said modestly: "This is a lovely award but the success of the junior section is down to lots of people doing their bit."

Long-serving North Wilts club pro and five-times Hills Wiltshire PGA champion Graham Laing said: "June does a great job in running the club's junior section and deserves the award.

"She does lots of work behind the scenes as well and is now piloting specific sessions to attract new women into the game.

"Her enthusiasm is unbounded."

Mrs Poffley's husband, Gordon, is also a member at North Wilts.