A clear development pathway has helped Dainton Park grow its junior section and keep young golfers involved.
Dainton Park Golf Club has was named Junior Club of the Year at the Golf Foundation’s 2026 President’s Awards, recognising its work to introduce young players to the game and help them progress.
The Devon club received the award at a ceremony hosted by Golf Foundation president Nick Dougherty at Wentworth in September, during BMW PGA Championship week. Its junior section has grown from around 40 members in 2019 to 120 active members, with opportunities ranging from introductory sessions to club competitions and county squads.
PGA professional Bradley Sercombe oversees Dainton’s junior programmes and travelled to Wentworth to collect the trophy. Golf Manager Ben Gauntlett highlighted the personal connection behind his work.
“Brad came through our junior section, worked in the golf shop and completed his PGA training, so he knows the club inside out and understands what it means to be a junior here,” Ben said.
“It’s especially rewarding to see him now creating opportunities for the next generation. He’s put a great deal of work into developing our junior offering, and we’re proud to see that commitment recognised with this award.”
Here, Bradley discusses the approach behind the award and how Dainton is helping its youngest members stay involved.
What did winning Junior Club of the Year mean to you?
I’m extremely proud to say that we have been named Junior Golf Club of the Year, something I’ve been working towards for a long time. As a PGA professional, it has been incredibly rewarding to work alongside the club over the past few years to build and develop our junior section.
Seeing the progress made by juniors of all ages, and watching families come together through golf, has been fantastic. The club has become a place that genuinely feels like home for our junior members, and that is something I’m very proud to have helped create.
What’s helped you grow the junior membership?
I think a huge part of our membership growth is down to golf becoming a much more appealing sport for young people. Traditionally, sports like football and rugby have attracted the majority of juniors, but golf is now seen as a sport that many young people want to try.
Across the South West, we’ve seen more juniors staying involved in golf, which has helped increase our membership. However, that growth also comes from what the club offers: a welcoming atmosphere, friendly staff and a clear pathway to help every junior develop and enjoy the game.
How does that pathway work?
We offer fantastic opportunities for juniors, whether they are complete beginners or aiming to reach the highest levels of the game.
I run our Junior Academy every Saturday, which is split into four structured groups. That consistency is a key part of development, as juniors know they are working towards improving every week. Once they are ready, they progress into our Academy Plus programme, where they can put the skills they’ve learned into practice on the golf course during evening sessions throughout the summer.
We also work closely with Golf Access, which allows juniors to progress through the banding programme before achieving a handicap. Alongside this, we run GolfSixes and GolfNines teams, giving players the chance to experience competitive golf in a fun and enjoyable environment.
GolfNines provides the next step, with nine-hole handicap competitions that help bridge the gap between beginner golf and more competitive play. From there, juniors can take part in club competitions, allowing them to gain experience and continue developing.
We work closely with Devon Golf and England Golf, and with continued progression, players can move on to county squads and potentially national development programmes. It creates a fantastic pathway, taking juniors from their very first experience of golf right through to the opportunity of representing their county and potentially their country.
How has the Golf Foundation supported your work?
The Golf Foundation has been one of the biggest contributors to our success through initiatives such as GolfSixes and GolfNines. I also deliver the Unleash Your Drive programme, which provides a starting point for many young golfers before they join the academy.
The Golf Foundation is fantastic to work with and shares our passion for creating opportunities for juniors. Their programmes play a huge role in helping young people discover golf, develop their skills and stay engaged in the sport.
How do you keep juniors motivated as they progress?
I think it’s really important to help juniors understand the value of having a handicap and setting goals for themselves. Whether that’s gaining their first handicap, reducing it or reaching single figures, having targets gives them something to work towards and allows them to see their progress.
Keeping juniors motivated is key to long-term success. It’s also great when families are involved in the game, as they can support and encourage each other. Seeing family members enjoy golf together and achieve success at the club creates a fantastic environment that inspires younger players to keep improving.
What’s next for the junior section?
The next step for us is to continue building on this success by maintaining the high standards we’ve set and welcoming even more juniors into the club. We want to keep providing as much support as possible while continuing to develop the pathway we have created.
Working with local schools and hosting more Golf Foundation events will be a key part of introducing younger children to the sport at an early age. Ultimately, it’s about staying consistent, continuing to improve year after year, and always looking for ways to be that extra 1% better.
Key takeaways
- Give juniors a clear pathway from introductory coaching to on-course sessions and competitions, so they can see how to progress.
- Use achievable goals, such as gaining or reducing a handicap, to keep young players motivated and help them recognise their improvement.
- Build links with schools and involve families to introduce more children to golf and encourage them to stay involved.
