Isla’s not the only birdie at Carlisle
Last updated 11:39, Wednesday, 14 May 2008
FOURTEEN-YEAR-OLD Isla Cameron-McIntosh used to be the only young birdie at Carlisle Golf Club.
But now the promising youngster has her pick of budding female golfers to play with after a big recruitment driver by club pro Graeme Lisle.
Isla is now one of six girls who receive coaching from Lisle, who is keen to encourage more junior women to the club.
The pupil at Brampton’s William Howard School, from Wetheral, joined Carlisle when she was seven, where parents Ian and Ann are both members.
She plays in junior competition and receives coaching with the county junior girls’ team.
Ann said: “She was the only girl member at one point, but there seem to be a few more getting involved now.
“There are other girls she can play with now and it has made a big difference for her.
“I think girls are more likely to get involved if their mum or gran plays. Golf is my big passion and I have pushed her but she has never said she doesn’t want to do it.
“Last year she really got into it and has always had a lovely swing. She has a junior handicap of 40 but now she is strong enough to hit the ball, it will come tumbling down.
“She will play in ladies’ and junior competitions this year, and is really looking forward to it.”
Carlisle has a strong junior boys section but Lisle is trying to build up the number of girls taking up the game, with numbers dwindling nationally.
He said: “Isla was one of the only girls for quite sometime but now we’re building up the junior section.
“We have six young girls at the moment and we’re hoping to increase that. We’ve never had a lot of girls coming along and the ladies’ membership is in decline.”
