The Islington Football Development Partnership team were thrilled to be awarded the Golf Foundation's prestigious national Laddie Lucas award on 22 May - on the eve of the PGA BMW Championship - in recognition of their success in developing grass roots junior golf in Islington.

 At the Wentworth Golf Club's magnificent ballroom, former Golf Foundation President Ken Schofield was a guest of honour and presented nine winners with their Golf Foundation President's Award in front of a packed audience of golf's biggest names. Each winner has excelled in helping to advance the Golf Foundation's cause in schools, communities and golf clubs.

 The Laddie Lucas award is presented to the best local project that has created both access and opportunity for young people from all backgrounds to play golf.

 Cllr Janet Burgess, deputy leader and executive member for health and wellbeing, Islington Council said:

 "I am delighted the Islington Football Development Partnership have reached out to engage youngsters in another sport - Tri-Golf.  It will also be showcased at our Sports Day event on Highbury Fields on 13 July.

 "Golf's not a sport you might associate with the inner city but now many more children have had their first experience of swinging a golf club.

 "If it captures the imagination of the next Rory McIlroy - in a few years Islington might lay claim to a new sporting legend."

 Chloe Law of the Islington Football Development Partnership said:

 "It's fantastic for us to be recognised for our success in providing opportunities for children to play golf. 

 "The majority of children in Islington have never played and there are no permanent golf facilities, so the project has been both a challenging and very rewarding one."

 The Partnership, with local council and Golf Foundation support, brought Tri-Golf to 14 primary schools involving 675 pupils, while Golf Xtreme caught the imagination of 128 secondary school girls and youngsters with learning difficulties also enjoyed tri golf sessions. Two Tri-Golf festivals for over 210 children were run on local football pitches plus a summer and half term camp where youngsters visited Trent Park GC and received coaching from a PGA Professional.

 The Islington Football Development Partnership run primary and secondary school sessions and a weekly after school club at Market Road football pitches and holiday courses.