The English Golf Union is to support members of the Elite Squad through the PGA European Tour School process. English golfers will receive financial support towards their Tour School expenses through the World Class Performance Programme funded by the Sport England Lottery Fund.
Commenting on the new scheme EGU performance director, Nigel Furniss, explained, “Through the World Class Performance Programme we are trying to introduce systems and structures that will give golfers the best possible opportunities to progress and develop into world champions. The introduction of financial support for helping English players with the transition into the professional arena is a massive move forward for the English Golf Union and English golf.”
Historically players have made the decision to move into the professional game and severed their links with the amateur game. That process will now change as Furniss explained, “We will support Elite Squad members through the Tour School process with funding provided by the Sport England Lottery Fund. Once they have secured tour status, either Challenge Tour or main PGA European Tour, we will be looking to help fund their first two years of expenses on tour.
“In return for this support and investment we expect the players to contribute a percentage of their future earnings into a trust fund which will be used to help develop the future generations of English golfers. This scheme will allow the EGU and the Sport England Lottery Fund to play an important supportive roll in helping young English golfers establish a foothold in the professional arena and allow successful English golfers to financially contribute towards the development of future English Champions.”
The programme, which will be named TEAM ENGLAND – golf, will commence this year at PGA Tour School Qualifying Stage 1.
EGU www.englishgolfunion.org
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