Kendal sporting all-rounder takes up role with Cumbria Golf Partnership (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Kendal sporting all-rounder takes up role with Cumbria Golf Partnership

9:00am Monday 17th September 2012 in Sport By Scott Kirk, Reporter

SPORTING all-rounder Nicola Martindale has a driving ambition – to get more people in Cumbria playing golf.

The 27 year-old from Kendal is the new county development officer for the Cumbria Golf Partnership.

She will be helping spearhead the drive to grow the game across the region by providing opportunities for potential players of all ages and abilities to take up the sport.

Martindale will work with the Cumbria Ladies County Golf Association, the Cumbria Union of Golf Clubs, The Eden Valley Sports Partnership and the PGA North East/West to deliver projects across the county which will open up golf for everyone from beginners to those who want to get back into a sport they enjoyed in their younger days.

Martindale has a strong sporting background as captain of Kendal Ladies Hockey Club, a county hockey player as well as playing football for Kendal Town Ladies FC.

“Sport has played a key role throughout my life, whether it has been through taking part, coaching or development work,” she said.

“Although I am new to golf as a player, I have a wide range of development experience and skills that I can use to the benefit of the sport and the fantastic clubs across Cumbria.”

Martindale completed a degree in coaching and sports performance at St Martin’s College, Lancaster, in 2007 before continuing her studies at the University of Cumbria and completing a PGCE in primary teaching.

In 2009 she joined the Sport Development Team at Lakes Leisure, Kendal.

Clubs across Cumbria are already backing a national Get into Golf campaign which offers free taster sessions and discounted golf coaching.

Martindale added: “The clubs have already been very supportive of the work going on across Cumbria to encourage more people into golf and I am relishing the opportunity to work with all the interested parties in helping build on the success so far.”