EAST Berkshire Golf Club has hit the mark with a national award.

The Crowthorne club, which is backing the drive to grow the game in the region, has secured a highly-prized GolfMark award from England Golf.

GolfMark is an official seal of approval for clubs which successfully work to develop the game in four ways:

l By attracting new members and encouraging existing members to play more.

l Using practical business planning to develop the club.

l Offering coaching and playing opportunities for all golfers.

l Ensuring safeguarding policies are in place.

Barry Slater, East Berks junior organiser, who led the club’s push, said: “East Berkshire Golf Club is a great club. It is very friendly, welcoming and forward-thinking.

“This GolfMark award helps us to spread that message and to tell people that children are safe and secure here and that we understand about beginner golfers.”

The award was presented to East Berkshire by Dean Newbold, development officer for the Berkshire County Golf Partnership.

He said: “I’m delighted that East Berkshire has achieved GolfMark and that its efforts to grow the game can be nationally recognised.”

The GolfMark award was developed by England Golf and also integrates Sport England’s Clubmark award – a national standard for quality sports clubs recognised across the country.

GolfMark brings a number of benefits to clubs including raising awareness, access to funding, business and marketing support and training opportunities for staff and volunteers.

Almost 40 per cent of GolfMark clubs have increased membership since receiving the award.

East Berkshire Golf Club is a private members club comprising an 18-hole course, practice ground and clubhouse.