The family-owned golf club received this Sport England accreditation from the English Golf Union and English Women's Golf Association, after a rigorous assessment programme carried out over several months, looking at the quality of coaching, environment and ethics, and child protection and duty of care.

Helen Tarttelin, County Development Officer for the Essex Golf Partnership, said: "I was very impressed with the whole attitude of the club and it now gives a standard other clubs should be striving to achieve – Stoke-by-Nayland has an excellent structure in place, particularly for young golfers".

Stoke-by-Nayland Golf Club already boasts an exceptional track record in training junior golfers, some of whom have gone on to become top-flight professionals, such as Jamie Moul who now plays all over the world on the Challenge and some European Tour events.

The under-18 Junior team – some of whom now play in the national squad - has also won the prestigious Telegraph National Team Award, beating hundreds of other clubs throughout the UK.

Susanna Rendall, managing director, said: "Much of this success is due to the hard work and dedication of our team of excellent professional teachers and our club staff, together with the great facilities here."

The most recent junior success went to 14-year-old Charlie Sargent, who won the under-16 Suffolk Schools Championship with a level par score. Stoke's head teaching professional Roly Hitchcock has coached Charlie since he was five. Hitchcock has recently been invited to help coach the Essex County junior squad.

For details about junior golf tuition at Stoke-by-Nayland call the pro shop on 01206 265812.