This display of commitment from Colin Montgomerie has been welcomed by the entire Golf Foundation team, as it works to make golf more accessible to children from all backgrounds. Through its Golf Roots programme the Foundation aims to reach one million children a year through golf by 2013, in support of the national golf partnerships of England, Scotland and Wales.
Charles Harrison, Chairman of the Golf Foundation, said: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Colin Montgomerie as our new President. Given his standing in the game and his knowledge and passion for golf, I am quite sure he will be able to contribute hugely as we grow as an organisation.
“After encouraging many young people to take up the game through his exploits in competitive golf, and inspiring the European Team so many times in the Ryder Cup, he will now be able to inspire our team to raise the bar further in our efforts to offer many new children the opportunity to play the game, as well as providing help in the development of their life skills.”
Colin Montgomerie said: “I have long admired the work of the Golf Foundation and feel very honoured to be taking up this position. Golf has played such an important part in my life and I look forward to working with the Golf Foundation to inspire as many youngsters as possible to take up this great game.”
Colin Montgomerie will officially start his new role on 5 May, during the Golf Foundation’s AGM, where he takes over the Presidency from Ken Schofield, who will be standing down from the post after five highly successful years. Colin will then attend his first engagement as President when he presents the annual Golf Foundation awards during the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth on 25 May.
Colin takes on the role at a time when the leading golf charity has changed the perception of golf as a school sport, with government figures showing that the number of schools offering golf had increased from 14% in 2003/4 to 44% in 2009/10. The number of schools with formal links to golf clubs and driving ranges increased from 9% in 2003/4 to 30% in 2009/10.
Golf Foundation www.golf-foundation.org