GOLF England has launched its new Associate member scheme in Yorkshire designed to promote golf to a wider audience. The Associate Membership Scheme continues the work started by the English Golf Union (EGU) that already has more than 7,000 members.

It drew the backing of Steve Raybould, the head professional at Bridlington Links GC. He said: "The Associate member scheme will enable more of our local Yorkshire golfers who are not members of a golf club, to enjoy the course and facilities here at Bridlington Links."

More than three million casual golfers in the UK, who regularly play golf, are not club members and therefore do not have a recognised handicap. That severely limits access to the nation's courses.

The Golf England Associate member scheme provides a stepping stone to club membership. For only £48 a year the scheme offers these golfers a chance to gain a recognised handicap and to benefit from a range of great golf-related offers including access to hundreds of the country's courses with discounts at selected clubs; a membership card carrying an official EGU/ELGA Associate member handicap; and two free vouchers each giving two green fees for the price of one.

For information on Golf England, visit HYPERLINK http://www.golfengland.com or call 0870 243 2343.

As a promotion to the scheme the Evening Press has teamed up with Golf England to give readers the chance to win some Maxfli XS Tour golf balls personalised with the Golf England logo and the winner's name. To win all you have to do is answer the following question correctly and reply by Wednesday, September 4.

Question: How much does Golf England Associate member scheme cost? Answers to Golf England competition, Sportsdesk, PO Box 29, 76-86 Walmgate, York YO1 9YN. Normal Evening Press rules apply. The Editor's decision is final.

Updated: 11:18 Saturday, August 31, 2002