Stretton Wright Inspiring Next Generation into Golf

Following the loss of Stret, I have felt very strongly that I wished to have a project in Stret’s name and the formation of a charity in his memory was my first and lasting outcome.  It was an easy decision to make as to who and what the charity would benefit – Junior Golf.

Stret’s proudest achievement as a Professional Golfer was the many golfers he had taught over the last 30 years.  He was particularly proud of the many Juniors that have passed through his coaching sessions, many of which have gone onto become Professional Golfers themselves.  I distinctly remember how proud he was to teach the East Riding Juniors when he was teaching at Beverley, Hainsworth and Driffield in the late 1990’s.  Moving to Hornsea in 1999 as Professional meant he had the opportunity to build Hornsea’s Junior Section and from that very first year he went into Hornsea Community Primary School with the help of Peter Bridges, Mike Williamson and Ian McIntosh to give more children the chance to try golf.  He was particularly spurred on after receiving letters from some of the children who had obviously enjoyed the sessions.  From then, anyone that ever sat in a meeting with Stret regarding Juniors will remember him saying all he ever wanted was to give every 9-year-old in Hornsea the chance to have a go at golf, with tales of his various students following on!  He continued with these school sessions until his promotion to Director of Golf meant he was unable to dedicate the time needed – the only regret to his change of position at the club.  Over the years he has continued teaching a few of the juniors, and covered Saturday morning coaching when needed. He got the chance to keep an eye on the rising stars on these occasions. The first Covid lockdown gave us the most valuable family time that we can now appreciate fully and it also gave us chance to think about the future beyond Covid times - Stret’s future plans had been to start coaching again.

With this in mind and after discussing with Nathan and Tasha we decided that the charities mission was to  give every 9-year-old in Hornsea, Holderness, Hull and hopefully the East Riding the chance to have a go at Golf.

Our new Captain and Lady Captain spoke to me as they started to consider their year ahead in 2021, as they wished to raise money in Stret’s memory.  Once I had explained my idea, they were and continue to be very supportive of the charity plans.

We hope to recruit local PGA Professionals to carry out this valuable coaching in the local schools.  We are very lucky to have The Golf Foundation to support many junior projects but hope that funds from ‘SWING into Golf’ will be available to top these grants up and deliver more coaching projects within the schools, and also for the children to be able to experience golf at the local courses.  So, for any primary schools, golf clubs and PGA Pros that may be reading this please let me know if you can pledge your support to this charity. 

We are in the initial stages of setting up the charity and plan to officially launch in May 2021. However, delivery of this valuable coaching will not start until 2022, giving chance for funds to be raised and hopefully schools will be able to accept the coaching beyond Covid restrictions.  The Board of Directors at Hornsea Golf Club have very kindly agreed that we can host 2 charity days as part of the launch: Thursday 20th May as a member’s day, and Friday 21st May for an open event.  Depending on the Covid restrictions, we also hope to hold an evening event on the Friday, with Stret’s favourite band, ‘Sons of the North’, otherwise known as Albert, Harry and Alfie Anderson and Declan Rodgers, who many of you will know and are very well received when seen performing in the local bars – a little promotion for you there boys not that you need it! 

A small committee has been formed to assist me in the organising of these events, and contrary to my usual habits, I do intend to accept the help and delegate!!  

I hope you understand what we hope to achieve and hope that you will be able to support the charity in Stret’s memory both now and for a long time in the future.

Yvonne