Over 150 local children take part in inclusive golf day at Bowring Park with ex Liverpool players

More than 150 children from across Knowsley participated in a free, community-focused day of golf, learning, and connection at Bowring Park & Golf Course.

The event, held during the Easter holidays, also marked the official launch of the Golf Foundation’s ‘Unleash Your Drive’ programme.

The Get Into Golf Day offered children an opportunity to experience golf—many for the first time—in an inclusive and supportive setting. The day featured coaching sessions, nature trails, educational activities, refreshments, and special guest appearances from former Liverpool FC players Stephen Warnock and Chris Kirkland.

Helen Paton, Head of Fundraising and Partnerships at Oneday, the organisation responsible for managing Bowring Park, reflected on the event’s success:

“It was one of those days the kids will remember for a long time. To see over 100 children taking part in sport for free during the holidays is amazing. The Unleash Your Drive programme is all about building mental resilience in young people, and the skills they’re learning at events like this—delivered in such a fun and welcoming environment—are things they can carry into everyday life.”

The Unleash Your Drive initiative, led by the Golf Foundation, is a UK-wide programme aimed at equipping young people with vital life skills such as confidence, focus, and emotional regulation, using golf as a vehicle for development in accessible green spaces.

The event was delivered in partnership with Apollo Active, England Golf, The Golf Foundation, and Evolving Mindset. These organisations share a commitment to removing traditional barriers to golf and promoting both physical and mental wellbeing among children.

Joey Stocks, Director of Apollo Active, said:

“Knowsley is one of the most deprived areas in the UK, so we know that for many kids, turning up at a golf course and paying to play simply isn’t an option. That’s why these free Get Into Golf events are so important—they’re about opening the door to every child. It’s not just about golf either; it’s about showing how sport builds friendships, social skills, and genuine confidence.”

Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock, said:

“The change at Bowring Park over the last few years has been brilliant. The new Coach House has brought in so many new people from the local community—and that’s half the battle when it comes to getting more people into golf.
I actually used to bunk on at Bowring during Covid—which you can’t do anymore, of course! But that’s where it all started for me after I’d retired from football. I was playing with a few mates, caught the golf bug, and I’ve played regularly ever since.”

The day was a powerful demonstration of how sport, when made accessible, can foster not only physical activity but also community spirit, inclusion, and personal development.

Find out more about the event on the Bowring Park website.

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