Barnham Broom has just been awarded the High Achiever GolfMark status by England Golf – a national accreditation that recognises clubs that fulfil strict criteria to become a junior and beginner friendly club.

Barnham Broom is one of only three golf clubs in Norfolk to achieve this award.

The accreditation has been granted as a result of a three-year monitoring review following Barnham Broom's achievement of the standard GolfMark status in 2009. The GolfMark scheme is part of Sport England's ClubMark that has 2,800 accredited clubs across the country in 25 sports.

The criteria used to judge golf clubs who apply for the accreditation includes the standard of its coaching and playing, the club environment, its approach to child protection and duty of care.

The accreditation is important because it's a nationally recognised standard of quality from the governing bodies of golf in England that gives parents the reassurance that their children will be well looked after and taught in a structured and safe environment by qualified coaches.

It also helps beginners to choose a club that will help them as they learn the ropes.

With the High Achiever status comes a certificate, a �500 coaching grant and the use of the GolfMark standard logo to indicate the quality standard Barnham Broom has reached.

Barnham Broom club professional, Alan Hemsley said: 'This is a great achievement for Barnham Broom. As Norfolk's premier golf club we pride ourselves on doing everything we can to make ourselves accessible and attractive to new and young golfers. We believe wholeheartedly in creating an environment that welcomes new people to the world of golf.

'The High Achiever status means that parents and newcomers can feel reassured that they and their children will be well looked after and receive a high quality standard of coaching.

'What makes this award even more satisfying is that you have to demonstrate that you can attain and maintain standards over a three year period.

'The Ryder Cup always generates a new wave of interest so I am looking forward to welcoming some new faces to Barnham Broom and maybe we'll have the next Ian Poulter or Luke Donald on our hands.'

Karen Young, Golf Development Officer at Norfolk County Golf Partnership, said: 'I am delighted that Barnham Broom has been accredited with High Achiever status. It's important that other clubs follow its lead in providing a nurturing environment for the next generation of golfers. It makes good business sense for clubs to work towards accreditation as those clubs that do are in a stronger position to be able to take advantage of projects to encourage more people to try golf which in turn will help support both club membership and green fee initiatives.

'Congratulations to all the golf team at Barnham Broom for their efforts in gaining Higher Achiever accreditation.'

Barnham Broom regularly hosts open days for anyone who wants to try their hand at the basics of golf. Alan Hemsley takes beginners and novices through a number of coaching drills to help them hone their games.

Alan, who is a Grade 3 PGA Professional, runs Barnham Broom's junior academy which now has over 62 junior members between the ages of 6-18.

He is supported by Assistant PGA Professionals Matthew Gardner and Alex Beckett, Secretary Robin Brooks and Welfare Officer Rachel Bradfield.

The academy has enough handicap golfers to field three league teams. Tuition takes place every Saturday between 12.30-4.15pm covering all aspects of the game. Barnham Broom is an active supporter of its junior players encouraging them to play in senior events once they have their CONGU handicap.