A NORTHERN club’s satisfaction at being nominated for two national awards could yet grow even stronger if it becomes the first from the region to win the prestigious honours.

Ingleby Barwick Golf Academy, where former Stressholme and Blackwell Grange PGA Professional Ross Jackson is overseeing some incredible results, has been recognised by the Golf Foundation after being shortlisted for a two prestigious titles.

Jackson himself has been nominated for The Sinclair PGA Professional Award as a direct result of his efforts which have made a significant impact in the development of grassroots of junior golf. The Junior Development Programme bearing his name at Ingleby Barwick has also been nominated for The Bonnallack Player Pathway Award, presented to a project which has demonstrated a successful route from schools into club membership.

If Jackson wins either award he will become the first individual from the North-East to do so and will receive the prize at the Presidents’ Awards at Wentworth on the evening of the BMW PGA Championship in May. It is a deserved development from a golf professional determined to get more people into golf since moving to Ingleby Barwick two years ago.

Jackson said: “When I commenced my role at Ingleby Barwick Golf Academy there was little to no junior participation (playing or coaching capacity); having such a strong passion for junior golf development that simply was not good enough.

“From that day forth, I have gone above and beyond to change that situation and ensure junior golf has been at the forefront of the facilities’ activities.

“I wanted to create a child-centred facility that would be a platform for junior golfers to commence their golfing journey and provide the opportunity to enhance their skills. This has been complemented by creating some of the best golf coaching services in Europe.”

The Golf Foundation have singled Jackson and Ingleby Barwick’s forward thinking out after posting a string of impressive results. These include seeing junior memberships grow by 200 per cent, junior competitions climb from three to 54 and more than 3,000 juniors having been taught during 2014/15.

Jackson’s efforts have seen junior member numbers swell from 20 when he took over to 60, which has led to him becoming the club’s Junior Liaison Officer alongside operating in his Head PGA Teaching Professional role since the summer of 2014. The 31-year-old’s success on that front has seen him take on extra duties too. He further enhanced his prominence in junior golf development in the North of England by becoming part of the HSBC Golf Roots Coaches Network and created a regional Talent Identification Programme for the Teesside Golf Union.

Jackson has thoroughly enjoyed his time and success since heading over to Ingleby Barwick, having made a name for himself initially during his time in Darlington. He spent more than 13 years working between Blackwell Grange and Stressholme Golf Clubs before taking on a professional role when the two combined in 2013.

Junior numbers went from just three to 63 following the merger and he forged strong partnerships with Darlington Borough Council. Jackson has taken that experience with him to Ingleby Barwick and the benefits are flowing, with more success anticipated for 2016.