The R&A has announced a series of grants aimed at supporting the development of golf, particularly at grassroots level, around the world.
Countries in receipt of grants include India, Malawi and Swaziland where R&A funding will ensure that international events and initiatives continue to reinforce the growth in the game already taking place in Africa and Asia.
Duncan Weir, The R&A’s Director of Golf Development said, “It is our long term aim to grow the game on a worldwide basis and this latest list of grants underlines our commitment to doing just that. We are fortunate that the annual surplus from The Open Championship enables us to distribute funds widely and we know that this can only have a positive effect on the aspirations of players in those countries where golf is still in its infancy.”
Swaziland Golf Union , for example, will receive £28,000 towards the 2006 Zone VI event. This is an annual men’s amateur international team championship involving countries from southern and eastern Africa. In addition, Swaziland will receive £7,000 towards the purchase of a new vehicle to assist with its junior development programme.
£150,000 will be spent on the purchase and distribution of reconditioned greenkeeping machinery. In 2005, similar equipment was sent to the Falkland Islands, Iceland, Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
1,000 sets of TaylorMade Kids’ Clubs will be distributed overseas. In 2005, a similar number went to Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, El Salvador, Ghana, Guatemala, India, Kenya, Morocco, Peru, Poland, Romania, Russia, Swaziland, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe
Among other specific grants are
Elmwood College -China-Scotland Partnership
£400,000 over three years to continue education programme first funded in 2000
Golf Foundation
£500,000 towards junior development work in England, Scotland and Wales
Golfing Union of Ireland
£50,000 towards new academy and public driving range at Carton House outside Dublin
Indian Golf Union
£25,000 towards ongoing development programme
Malawi Golf Union
£10,000 towards the 2006 All Africa Junior Championship.
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