BRIDPORT & West Dorset Golf Club has achieved the SafeGolf club accreditation from England Golf.

Bridport & West Dorset Golf Club is backing the drive to grow the game, demonstrating the club’s commitment to safeguarding children and young people, as well as adults in risk in the sport of golf.

General manager at Bridport, Andy Dennis, who led the club’s push to SafeGolf, said: “Bridport & West Dorset Golf Club is a great club, it’s very friendly, welcoming, and one of the most forward-thinking golf clubs in Dorset.

“This 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 Bridport & West Dorset Golf Club by Tom Jessamine, England Golf’s Club Support Officer.

He said: “I’m delighted that Bridport & West Dorset Golf Club has achieved SafeGolf and that its efforts to grow the game can be nationally recognised.”

SafeGolf is a partnership of UK golf bodies committed to promoting a safe and positive environment for all those participating, working, and volunteering in the sport of golf.

Consisting of members from the golfing bodies across Great Britain & Ireland, it has been established to help golf respond to the issue of child protection in sport.

SafeGolf is firstly, a website – www.safegolf.org – through which anyone with a concern about the welfare of a player, or the behaviour or practice of a coach, volunteer, organiser, parent or a player, can contact the lead safeguarding officer at their national governing body.

Secondly, it is the safeguarding standard England Golf will promote to all their affiliated clubs to ensure all clubs provide a safe and positive experience to children and young people whilst playing golf.

The PGA are also using the standards to apply to all their PGA professional coaches.

Golfers suffered extra frustration this week, following the Government’s announcement of a roadmap out of lockdown.

Outdoor sport may only resume from Monday, March 29 – provoking a dismayed response from England Golf.

“England Golf is extremely disappointed that the scientific evidence presented to government detailing how the sport can be played in a Covid-secure manner has not resulted in a return to play date earlier than 29 March,” a statement read.

Before the third national lockdown, campaigners for the golfing cause said the sport could be carried out in a socially-distanced manner and were frustrated that ‘elite’ contact sports such as football and rugby had been allowed to continue.