Golf has given me the confidence to compete at sport
Jessica Rogers loved sport and excelled at tennis which she played at county level – but despite her obvious talent she always dreaded competitions and playing while people were watching. Then she discovered golf.
The 13-year-old, from Suffolk, says golf has really helped her overcome this dread. It has given her new confidence in herself. She can now enter competitions without feeling the stress she previously experienced playing tennis – and doesn’t even worry when there is an audience.
She now plays golf at every opportunity and was awarded a set of Ping Prodi golf clubs by the Trust to help her develop her game.
‘Although Jess excelled in tennis she hated the inevitable competitions. She also struggled when she had to play in front of people,’ says mum Anna Rogers.
‘Meanwhile, her tennis coach left to go travelling and she found it a challenge to find a new coach she could bond with. Knowing she still loved sport, her grandad asked her to join him playing golf and she has never looked back!’
Now Jessica loves playing golf. ‘I play every weekend with my grandad and cousin and during the week if I can as well. I am more confident and happier talking to people thanks to golf. I look forward to all my games and competitions and this is something I used to dread with other sports I have played in the past.’
‘Since receiving the golf clubs my handicap has dropped from 27.9 to 26.2 and I aim to get it even lower this year. I am now playing with the Suffolk junior girls seconds team and taking part in any competitions I can as well as county training.’
Before the Trust helped her with some new clubs, she had been using an old half set that belonged to her mum.
‘My clubs didn’t fit me properly and that made playing more difficult. My new properly fitting set are amazing. Thank you, England Golf Trust.’
‘My grandad introduced me to golf and I really want to make him proud. These new clubs are helping me do that,’ says Jessica, who plays at Bungay Golf Club.
Jessica’s golf coach PGA professional Chris Potter said she was talented and had the potential to become ‘a very, very good player’.
Mum Anna said getting the new clubs was an amazing opportunity for her daughter and are helping improve her golf. ‘She is very keen and enthusiastic about her golf and strives to do well when playing. She loves all her sessions playing, whatever the weather. She never misses a session.’
