JUNIOR MEMBERSHIP

Thank you for showing an interest in becoming a Junior Member of Vicars Cross Golf Club.

Vicars Cross is very keen to encourage Junior Members.  We have an excellent Junior Organiser who, with his team of helpers together with the Teaching Professional, try to help all our young members whether they are beginners or play for the county team.

Vicars Cross takes part in the Golf Foundation Training Scheme which has proved extremely popular in recent years.  We have also attained the Golf Foundation Junior Golfmark Award.  This national award shows our commitment to Junior Golf and covers three main areas:

               Playing and Coaching

               Club Environment

               Duty of Care and Child Protection

Coaching sessions are organised for beginners, improvers and advanced levels and we have a number of qualified Golf Foundation Leaders who can be called upon to help our Teaching Professional.  There are also regular internal competitions, matches against the Ladies, Men and Seniors together with inter club matches.

We try our best to make the Clubhouse a friendly environment as it is fully integrated (i.e. there is no separate Junior room).  Juniors may purchase soft drinks and food from the bar but not alcoholic drinks.  In addition, annual dinners are organised together with meals associated with the internal and inter club matches.

All our Junior helpers have been trained and approved to work with children.  Parents can rest assured that every effort has been made to address the needs of children and to make Vicars Cross a safe environment.

There are two categories of Junior Membership as follows:

Associate Junior Member

All new members must first join as  Associate Junior Members unless they already have a handicap certificate from a previous club*.  Associate Juniors can have use of the club facilities but will be restricted to playing the course at less busy periods as agreed with the Junior Organiser and must be accompanied by a Full Member (not Intermediate or Junior) or Leader.  Please contact the Professional in advance of your visit to ascertain the most appropriate time ( 01...).  They will only progress to Full Junior Membership when the Junior Organiser and the Teaching Professional feel that they have reached an agreed standard of play and have a basic knowledge of safety rules, golf rules and golf etiquette and provided that there is a vacancy in the Full Category.  Associate Members are strongly advised to take part in the coaching sessions and the Golf Foundation Training.  Associate Juniors aged 12 years and over are expected to gain a handicap within two years.  Membership may be reviewed if this is not the case.

Full Junior Member

Full Junior Members may use all the club's facilities.  They may play the course and use the practice facilities any day including weekends and public holidays without adult supervision.  Full Juniors may enter all Junior competitions and most Club competitions once they have achieved a handicap of 24 or less*.

* Any Junior joining the Club who is a member of one or more other golf clubs must nominate Vicars Cross as his/her home club.

There is no entrance fee for Juniors at the time of joining and, provided they remain a member of the club throughout the interim period (including Intermediate Membership), they will not pay any entrance fee on becoming a Full Member at the age of 23.

Insurance

All Members use the facilities at their own risk.  The Club does not accept liability for any damage to persons or property.  All Members should therefore ensure that they have adequate insurance to cover the possibility of a claim against them.

The Club's insurance brokers have advised that members with their own home insurance may be covered by their policy under "Personal Liability" for any accident(s) occurring whilst playing golf and this would be the first point of call for any claimant.  Parents should check to ensure that their child(ren) are covered under their individual home insurance policies and, if not, make alternative arrangements.

If you would like to apply for any category of Junior Membership please follow these instructions:

1. Complete the attached application form and return it to the Office.  If you do not know anyone to Propose or Second you leave this section blank.  This will not affect your application.

2. You will be invited, together with other Junior applicants, to meet the Captain and Junior Organiser who will tell you more about the Club, the Junior Section and answer any questions you may have.  Your parents/guardians are welcome to attend.

3. In accordance with Club rules your name will then be posted on the notice board for 30 days following which you will be offered the appropriate category of Junior Membership providing there is a suitable vacancy and no objections have been received.  Should no vacancy be available your name will be placed on the waiting list.

4. At a convenient time you will be asked to attend, with other Junior Members, a one hour practice session with the Professional in the covered driving range so that your current standard of play can be assessed.

If you require any further information or assistance regarding Junior Membership please do not hesitate to contact the office (01244 335174) or the Junior Organiser (0151 3555815).