Beano cartoonist Barrie Appleby uses his talents to encourage young people to take up golf
Barrie Appleby, at his drawing board, with cartoon collaborator Charlie Haylock. - Credit: Archant
A cartoonist whose illustrations appear regularly in the Beano comic has teamed up with a west Suffolk golf club to entice more young people into the sport.
The new flyer. - Credit: Archant
Barrie Appleby, who is well known for his drawings of characters such as Roger the Dodger and Gnasher, has created a cartoon for Newton Green Golf Club, near Sudbury, which is next to his home.
His son Jason, who works at Sudbury-based Ark Design Consultants, has added colour to the illustration to produce a flyer which will be distributed to year six pupils in local primary schools.
Mr Appleby, 71, said: “As we are near neighbours it was a pleasure to be involved.”
Nationwide, the number of juniors joining clubs has tailed off in recent times, and the golf club’s aim is to engage their attention.
As part of the initiative, the club’s professional Tim Cooper has been carrying out a series of golf sessions in the schools, which will culminate in an inter-schools competition at the club, and invitations to the keener pupils for more free lessons.
Peter Phillpot, club chairman, said: “We have one of the most successful junior sections in East Anglia and do not want to be caught out by the nationwide decline in interest from young people. We are being proactive by investing resources. The generous gesture from Barrie Appleby to assist our cause means we can blaze a trail and try to ensure we capture the attention of young people.
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“We need to continue helping develop the sport locally, and ensure Newton Green is a benchmark club for young people.”
In recent times the club has had youngsters qualifying for national squad training and has a dozen juniors representing Suffolk at various levels.
Bookings can be made on 01787 377217 for 30-minute taster lessons for youngsters from 1.30pm on April 18.
