Armidale nominated for Jack Newton Junior Golf Junior Club of the Year

Armidale Golf Club has been named as a finalist in the Jack Newton Junior Golf Junior Club of the Year Award.

They are one of five clubs from around the state vying for the title at the upcoming NSW Golf Industry Awards.

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Club captain Tim Murray has helped lead a revival in junior participation numbers at Armidale.

The 36-year-old grew up playing in Uralla and was keen to give kids the same opportunities he had playing in the junior ranks.

He started a Friday afternoon program when school went back in January with the help of Mark Thomas and other club members.

They now have up to 25 juniors participating and hope to keep building on the momentum.

"We started with only one or two juniors who weren't involved in any programs," Mr Murray said.

"Our affiliation with Jack Newton Junior Golf came a few months into the program.

"That helps kids play in more tournaments and also with grants and other things."

Mr Murray won a championship as a 16-year-old at Uralla and has been club champion at Armidale 12 times.

He plays off a four handicap with one of sons in the program.

"I just want to help the kids grow and develop in a fun and relaxed atmosphere," he said.

"The couple who ran the Uralla golf course put me through junior programs and that's helped me play all over the countryside.

"I never forgot that and this is my way of being able to give something back."

Mr Murray works at St Mary's Primary School and said it makes up about 40 per cent of his participation numbers.

He is hoping to get more kids from other schools involved in the program.

"They're not obligated to come for the full 10 weeks if they decide it's not for them."

"If they want to give it a go and come back three weeks later, that's fine, too.

"The golf club put on a free holiday camp for us recently as well, without them backing us we wouldn't be able to do these things."

The club is hoping to organise an all-girls group to boost female numbers.

The other clubs nominated for the award are The Coast club in Sydney, Wollongong Golf Club, Toukley on the Central Coast and Catalina Golf & Country Club on the South Coast.

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