A CHESTER club will find out next month whether it has won a national award in recognition of its efforts to encourage a new generation of golfers.

Upton-by-Chester is one of three clubs in the running for the GolfMark Club of the Year.

GolfMark is a national scheme that incorporates ClubMark and recognises junior and beginner friendly golf facilities that focus on coaching and playing, club environment and child protection, and duty of care, all of which are extremely important to parents and children alike.

A total of 20 clubs were nominated and the winners will be announced at a special presentation night held on February 7 at the County Golf Development Conference.

“We are absolutely delighted to be on the shortlist,” said Upton-by-Chester’s junior organiser Jenny Turner.

“Being visited by the judges was a bit like an Ofsted report, but it gave us the chance to show the kind of coaching we offer and the environment we have created for newcomers to golf.”

Club officials took the judges out on the course to emphasise how the club has opened up the sport.

Pupils from Upton Heath Primary School and Upton High School represented the juniors, some of the club’s adult beginners showed how they are getting to grips with the game and one-armed golfer Dave Waterhouse demonstrated how it is a sport for all abilities.