Two-time Open Champion Padraig Harrington will be The R&A’s first Working for Golf Ambassador, using his position in the global game to promote the work of the St Andrews-based governing body.
Harrington will display The R&A Working for Golf logo on his clothing or equipment on Tour periodically during the season. He will coach young people in R&A-funded golf development programmes, appear in Rules of Golf multimedia productions, promote the etiquette of the game, take part in biomechanical equipment testing sessions and support the work of The R&A Foundation at events spread throughout his global playing schedule.
Announcing the appointment, The R&A Chief Executive, Peter Dawson, said: “Padraig is a role model in the game and, when he offered his time to support our golf development and rules education activities, we recognised the potential to reach the widest possible audience. His active involvement in golf’s bid to rejoin the Olympic Games was an important factor in our success in what is a key development for the future growth of the game.”
“The R&A has been a constant feature of my development in the game, from playing in boys and amateur events through to winning The Open Championship, and I appreciate all the guidance and opportunities they provided along the way. I am delighted to have this opportunity to give something positive back to the game, particularly in those countries around the world where golf is still in its infancy, introducing boys and girls to golf so they can benefit from the values that the game teaches you,” said R&A – Working for Golf Ambassador Padraig Harrington.
“I am constantly amazed at how much The R&A do for the game worldwide from development to the rules, etiquette and other areas. The more I learnt, the more I wanted to get involved in their work, and, given that I play a global schedule, I am well-placed to assist on various projects around the world.”
In his first act as R&A – Working for Golf Ambassador, Padraig Harrington announced The R&A’s continued support for grassroots development programmes in Ireland, worth more than €250,000 over the next three years.
The R&A Working for Golf programme is valued at approximately €10 million annually and encompasses grassroots development support, rules education, golf heritage interpretation and conservation and sustainable golf course management advocacy.
Padraig Harrington has previously given his time as Open Champion to meet the competitors in The R&A Junior Open and last year he presented an R&A online film on golf etiquette which has been downloaded from the Internet more than 250,000 times.
Two-thirds of all R&A development funding is channeled through 141 national affiliated organisations from 126 countries worldwide.
Padraig Harrington www.padraigharrington.com
The R&A www.RandA.org