Borough Life Spring 2006: Caroline’s a hit at Haigh
A hole lot of leisure opportunities... top teenage golfer Caroline Atherton enjoys the benefits of a Lifestyle card.
When it comes down to it, there’s one thing that makes a truly good golfer… determination.
And anyone who’s seen Caroline Atherton out on the course at Haigh Hall practising bunker shots at 5am in all weathers will know that she’s got plenty of it.
In fact it’s just the type of spirit that led the 17 year-old from Shevington to being crowned Sports Performer of the Year in last year’s Greater Manchester Sports Awards.
Caroline has also played for her country and represents the new breed of emerging female talent in a traditionally male dominated sport.
But Winstanley College student Caroline also knows that some of her enthusiasm for the game and her success is down to having a top quality course on her doorstep in the form of Haigh Hall.
“Having played with England and all over the country I’ve been to some of the top courses but I still love coming back to Haigh,” says Caroline. “The coaches there are great and they’ve really helped me to get where I am today.”
Caroline gets her interest in golf from dad Frank and started playing at the tender age of 12. Competitively she now plays anything up to 90 rounds a year and when she’s not on the fairway she’s in the gym working on her fitness or spending hours perfecting those tricky bunker shots.
And she’s all for schemes like Lifestyle that encourage more people to take up sports and leisure activities.
“Golf is something that hardly any other girls do in Wigan and it’s a shame because of the great course we have here,” she says.
“If you always had a desire to take part in a sport or any type of activity my advice is to just go for it.
“That’s what I did and you could say it’s changed my life. The opportunities are all around in Wigan so sign up and get involved!”
To find out more about what’s on offer at Haigh you can call 01942 831107 and or visit Wigan Leisure & Culture Trust’s website: www.wlct.org/haighgolf