HAWKSTONE Park Golf Club has become the first golf establishment in Shropshire to achieve the Women in Golf charter to increase the number of women and girls playing and working in golf.

The charter was brought in by the prestigious R&A Golf Club and is supported by England Golf and many other organisations from across the industry.

The aim is to ignite a culture shift to change how the sport is viewed and encourage more women into the sport.

Lewis Baker, director of golf Hawkstone Park, said he was delighted that the club achieved the charter.

"It is fantastic that we have been the first golf establishment to achieve the golf charter," he said. "We are committed to putting this pledge in to action.

"We want to ensure we have at least 30 per cent female representation on the board of directors and we will have a designated mentor within the club to support new female members.

"We will aim to deliver at least two initiatives each year which target women or girls, aligned with key England Golf campaigns.

"We will also promote membership pathways that encourage women and girls to progress within the club.

"Progress in making golf a more inclusive sport has been too slow.

"The Women in Golf charter is fundamental to accelerating change in the industry.

"We will do all we can to support the charter and hope to see more inclusivity at clubs across the UK."