South Pembrokeshire Golf Club has opened its brand new five hole short course specifically designed to be played by junior golfers.

The event was attended by Steven Thornton, public affairs officer from Valero, Alan Jones from Pembrokeshire County Council (sports development link officer, Community Chest grants officer and golf development officer), Clr. Peter Kraus (Mayor), Mike Williams (club president), Mick Seal (club manager and junior golf coach), Roger Ferris (junior coach) and Robert Ryder (club professional).

The course was kindly sponsored by Valero, Pembrokeshire County Council and South Pembrokeshire Golf Club.

The idea behind the course was to enable local children to enjoy the experience of golf, without having to walk long distances on the course to play a hole, thus making it accessible to all.

The cost of golf can be daunting as well to parents and the club will permit juniors to come along and try their hand on the course, (free of charge), under club supervision. The five holes range between 40 and 60 yards long and will give the youngsters the ability to practice their short game under the guidance of the junior golf coaches. Youngsters wishing to play, need to contact the club before playing, the course would also be excellent for those adults who are also unable to play a full round of golf.

Golf professional Robert Ryder explained that the course would be excellent in improving youngsters games and they would be able to focus more on their short game skills. The club also has Matthew Rees, another golf professional, running events for Tuesday juniors.

Alan Jones is working hard with the Communities First project in the local area promoting sports, including golf.

Street games session during the summer holidays have been organised in Pembroke Dock and these sessions take place on the following dates: Tuesdays, July 21 and 28, August 4, 11, 18 and 25, 11 am - 12.30 pm.

Mr. Ryder, who coaches adults and juniors at the club, will also be able to use the course to train up and coming golfers who are new to the game. The club provides six lessons free of charge which is sponsored through Golf Development Wales.

So if you are interested or wish your son or daughter to take up the sport, please contact Mick Seal on 01646 621453.

The golf club is a registered charity and works hard at promoting the club to the local community.

This is just one of a number of projects at the club that looks to link with more of the local population. The other project with the council is the creation of a new disabled footpath recently designed and built on the course. The club has provided some of its land for the project, hoping that local members will use the path to enjoy the beautiful views and at the same time keeping them in a safer place whilst on the path

The club has enjoyed a recent refurbishment is looking forward to their open events taking place on June 12 and 13.

The club would also like to thank the great work by their greens staff Barry, Percy, Glen and Paul.

Finally, the members wish to express their thanks to Valero and the council for their support during this project.

Pembroke Dock Mayor, Clr. Peter Kraus, was overwhelmed with what the golf club had done for the youngsters with this excellent five hole facility.

He said: "May I wish them good luck and thank once more the sponsors who made it all possible."