R&A commits £2 million to attract youngsters

The R&A has committed to provide £2 million to the Golf Foundation over the next four years to support its drive to inspire more young people to play golf.
A Mother and daughter enjoy a GolfSixes event run by the Golf Foundation.A Mother and daughter enjoy a GolfSixes event run by the Golf Foundation.
A Mother and daughter enjoy a GolfSixes event run by the Golf Foundation.

It’s hoped the cash will encourage youngsters to stay within the sport to boost membership.

The Golf Foundation will give over two million young people the chance to try golf for the first time using its Tri-Golf and Street Golf participation initiatives, which take adapted versions of the sport to young people at schools, sports centres, parks and multi-use games facilities.

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Around 180,000 youngsters will also be introduced to coaching through the Golf Foundation’s HBSC Golf Roots Centres, a large network of junior friendly golf clubs that provide taster sessions in local schools and coaching delivered by PGA Professionals.

Activities including the GolfSixes League and Girls Golf Rocks will focus on retaining younger golfers in the sport by giving them access to fun, competitive golf more regularly and establish a pathway for over 15,000 juniors to become members of clubs.

Duncan Weir, Executive Director – golf development and amateur events at The R&A, said, “We are very supportive of grassroots initiatives that aim to grow the sport by inspiring more youngsters into playing golf and encouraging them to go on to become members of golf clubs.

“The Golf Foundation has a proven track record of delivering innovative participation programmes together with our affiliates in Great Britain and Ireland and we are excited by its ambitions to grow participation in junior golf over the next four years and beyond.”

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Stephen Lewis, chairman of the Golf Foundation is excited about the development, Headded: “Working alongside our partners, the Golf Foundation is reaching increasing numbers of young people and our strategic objective of helping more young people to ‘Start, Learn and Stay’ in golf is designed to help protect the future of the sport.

“The R&A’s continued support is fantastic – from GolfSixes League through to The Open – it is an outstanding commitment. They are backing this charity to ensure golf is fresh and exciting for the next generation.”