County Development
Programme
Nigel Edwards
Performance Director
History
County Golf Partnerships
Clubs
England Golf Talent Pathway 2013 – 2017
(Current)
Competitive Playing Opportunities, Amateur
Events; International, National, County and Club
England Golf Talent Pathway
Professional Golf / Olympics
England Men
England Women
England A
England Boys U18
England Girls U18
Regional U18 (AASE)
Boys Regional U16
Girls Regional U16
County Squads
U14 Age Groups
County Squads
U14 Age Group
County Academy Programme
Clubs, schools and development activity
Male & Female
Female
Male
Not supported by Sport England Funding
Goals for Programme
 Talent based programme - Consistent programme across all
counties
 Create better links between Clubs – County - Regional
 Focus on doing the basics well; putting, short game, wedge
play, course management, ball control
 These components are delivered throughout the pathway in
an appropriate manner
Current Issues
 CAP often sits outside or separate to the Union / Association
coaching pathway with little communication between officials
and coaches. This approach de-values CAP and segments the
pathway hindering transition to the next level.
 CAP delivery is inconsistent; Development v Talent.
 Disjointed monitoring of progress does not allow counties or
EG to track players through the system.
 Current system does not allow players to support/identify
their individual needs
Moving Forward/Change
(Working with Counties)
 England Golf investment at u14 - Sport England investment for CAP

U14 / CAP funding re-defined as a performance focussed programme for boys and girls
aimed at developing, nurturing and facilitating the transition along the talent pathway

Grow the number of players in the pathway for longer until specialisation/investment
stage and then we can provide greater focus to the right players

Merge both funding programmes to create one simple application, delivery and
monitoring process. Currently the timings are misaligned and we are looking to bring
these together in due course = unified pathway at lower end of pathway

Regional workshops / conferences to help each county with the partnering process, what
a great programme looks like and the benefits for change.
Benefits of change
 The CAP programme that is fully integrated allows players, coaches
and parents to feel part of the county pathway – provides clear
communication to all parties and clarifies their roles and
responsibilities – Something that is proven to help develop talent.
 Allows for targeted and evidence based selection to elite coaching
from a much larger pool of players – money is therefore spent on
those who have shown commitment at the later stage once they have
specialised and keeps more players within the game.
 An ability based pathway allows for movement between squads and in
or out at the sides allowing for later developers. More flexible to
accommodate girls of all levels.
 Ability based programmes can help increase work ethic and
motivation to improve. Provides goals and targets to help players
work towards the next level.
 Added value days, competition days and squad days can be added to
the pathway to enhance experience and learning and be targeted to
groups or individuals – more team building and sense of belonging to
County environment
 Player tracking through the pathway
Findings since April 2014
 Average handicap reduction - 3.56
 More activity was targeted towards play and on - course
development – not being over coached
 Most effective impact was seen by counties who delivered
activity from March – Sept (due to bad winter or late start /
offered more appropriate conditions suitable for this younger
age group)
 Player monitoring/tracking
 Filled a developmental gap in the pathway now that CAP is
aimed at a higher age group
England Golf Talent Pathway 2013 – 2017
(April 2015)
Competitive Playing Opportunities, Amateur
Events; International, National, County and Club
England Golf Talent Pathway
Professional Golf / Olympics
England Men
England Women
England A
England Boys U18
England Girls U18
Regional U18 (AASE)
Boys Regional U16
Girls Regional U16
County Talent Programmes
Clubs, schools and development activity
Male & Female
Female
Male
Not supported by Sport England Funding