A NATIONAL campaign aims to get more people golfing across the North-East and beyond.

A major digital marketing campaign, run through the Get into Golf scheme, has been designed to inspire adults in England to take up the sport and play more often and will run from next month until July.

“This is the first national advertising campaign designed to attract thousands more people into the sport,” said David Joy, the chief executive of England Golf. “We are expecting it to reach hundreds of thousands of people with a surge in awareness of the sport and the campaign - all building on the already highly successful Get into Golf programme.”

Digital advertising aims to bring new players to the Get into Golf website where they can find out about golfing opportunities near them through an activity finder as well as book online.

Ryder Cup hero Justin Rose is backing the initiative. He said: “This is just what golf needs. It is fantastic that more people will have access to the sport.”

Get into golf is run by England Golf and the PGA and is supported by the Golf Foundation and Sport England National Lottery funding. It operates through a network of 35 counties and it provides and promotes activities for adults to learn, improve and to play golf.

To get your club involved go to http://www.englandgolf.org/clubhouse

SLALEY HALL is inviting golfers to experience its new QFairway club – the country’s most flexible golf membership, which gives up to 50 rounds of golf from as little as £375, plus access to 14 other courses.

QHotels is part of the AA Hotel Group of the Year – which includes such prestigious venues as The Carrick at Cameron House in its portfolio – and Slaley Hall believes QFairway ushers in a new era of membership.

Slaley Hall’s head of golf, Jeff Mills, said: “Points-based flexible memberships are not new but we believe QFairway takes the concept to a new level, because, with 11 hotels and 15 excellent golf courses – and the ability to allocate points to elements other than just golf – this is the most widely beneficial membership available on the market.”

SUNDERLAND and Newcastle are set to go head-to-head as two of the region’s biggest football legends tee off for charity.

Former Sunderland player Micky Horswill and John Anderson, formerly of Newcastle United, will be captaining two teams of golfers at a Derby Cup Golf Day on April 1.

The day, which will be held at Houghton-le-Spring Golf Club, will see fans of the Magpies and the Black Cats play 18 holes of golf to raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust.

The day, organised by Konect Events, will include a two-course meal and refreshments, along with the chance to chat to two of the region’s football legends.

“We’re delighted to have Micky and John on board for the Derby Cup Golf Day,” said Konect Events’ managing director, Gavin Brown. “The day is shaping up to be great fun for everyone and it’s really good to know we’ll be providing support for a charity as important at the Teenage Cancer Trust.”

All proceeds from the golf day will go to the Teenage Cancer Trust which provides expert care and support for young people who are facing cancer.

Tickets to the event are £50 plus VAT per person and are available from www.getkonect.com, by contacting Konect Event on 07812 096701 or events@getkonect.com