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County golf driven to new heights

Posted: 26 April 2004

Author: Mat Tillett

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The sponsorship is part of a continuing program by the Alan Boswell Group to support local sport in general. The Group already has a number of other high profile sponsorships, including Norfolk County Cricket and Norwich Rugby Club.

New sponsorship deal helps Norfolk's amateur tournaments

Amateur competitive golf in Norfolk is getting a boost with the announcement of a major sponsorship deal from the Norwich-based Alan Boswell Insurance and Financial Services Group (ABG).

The Group says it will be supporting the Norfolk Men's County Golf Union for the next two years, helping to finance the training programme for the stars of the future.

Gary Stangoe, the recently appointed County Captain, believes the sponsorship comes at a perfect time to help his plans for Norfolk tournament golf.

"I'm really pleased we have managed to agree this deal with the Alan Boswell Group", he says. "There's a enthusiasm amongst our players to go forward, and the Under-18s and the County Second Team are already the current holders of the Anglian League trophy. Getting support from a major East Anglian business has been a real boost for our morale, too.

"We have some very good players here and the support will allow them to focus on their game and keep Norfolk firmly on the golfing map."

ABG Managing Director Alan Boswell, a member of >Weston Park Club, says the idea came to him and fellow director Ian Payter, who belongs to Costessey Park Club, after Costessey general manager Stangoe was appointed Norfolk captain.

"We had seen how the friendly rivalry between our clubs has been encouraging a lot of younger golfers to talk about county competitions", says Alan Boswell. "We felt sponsorship would help the rising stars of amateur tournaments."

Stangoe agrees that the fact that a company with local golfing roots is behind the sponsorship is a significant benefit. "The Alan Boswell Group is a regular supporter of regional charity golf days, including the annual 'Big C' cancer charity golf events," he says.

The sponsorship deal covers the County Union Men's Under-18 Junior Team, and the Men's First, Second and Senior Teams, and it includes support for four new Order of Merit competitions in 2004.

"The new Order of Merit competitions will help decide who we select for the County sides", explains Stangoe. "It will give a leg-up to some star Norfolk players who I believe are headed for national caps."