HSBC has joined the drive to get more youngsters interested in golf through the Golf Foundation’s ‘HSBC Golf Roots’ programme and through a long term relationship with The R&A.
Linked to its support of The Open Championship, HSBC’s quest to contribute to the world of golf at a local level will now see the bank sit alongside The R&A, The European Tour, the Professional Golfers’ Association, the Ryder Cup Committee and Trust, the British Golf Industry Association’s ‘Grow Golf’ Fund, and Sport England as a core partner of leading golf charity the Golf Foundation.
The new partnership was profiled at The Open Championship at Royal St George’s on Tuesday (12th July) when the Golf Foundation’s new President Colin Montgomerie made a special appearance at The R&A Swingzone in the tented village. Colin played quick-fire Tri-Golf games with youngsters before the new relationship was officially announced by Golf Foundation Chairman Charles Harrison and Giles Morgan, Group Head of Sponsorship for HSBC.
Members of the Golf Foundation, The R&A and HSBC golf teams were on hand to talk to journalists present about how the new partnership will enable the charity to continue to work towards improving grassroots golf opportunities in the UK.
Mike Round, Chief Executive of the Golf Foundation, said: “The Golf Foundation team is delighted with this new partnership with HSBC, who have shown a fantastic commitment to HSBC Golf Roots and the future of the game. Along with The R&A’s support, this will help us towards our goal of making the game more accessible for children from all backgrounds and circumstances.
“It is hoped that other companies, golf clubs and individuals will now follow HSBC’s lead and become a supporter of HSBC Golf Roots. The backing of all golfers can drive HSBC Golf Roots to new levels of success.”
HSBC Group Head of Sponsorship, Giles Morgan, said: “Our commitment to growing golf at every level is absolute and whilst we’re very proud to be the sponsor of some of the leading golf events in the world our longer-term goal is to create a legacy through our support of youth development and grassroots programmes.
“The Golf Foundation’s ‘HSBC Golf Roots’ programme is an essential part of the framework of British golf and we are excited to join forces with The R&A to support it. It’s very appropriate that we are announcing this on the eve of The Open Championship as the two go hand in hand – today’s HSBC Golf Roots youngsters may well be tomorrow’s Open heroes.”
Chairman of The R&A Golf Development Committee, Keith Hodgkinson, said: “The R&A has been a committed supporter of the Golf Foundation since its inception over 50 years ago. We are delighted that one of our Open Championship Patrons, has chosen to join us in supporting this essential junior development initiative.”
HSBC Golf Roots makes the game more accessible to children from all backgrounds and circumstances and offers them personal development opportunities, ‘Skills for Life’. HSBC Golf Roots projects aim to create sustainable links between schools and golf clubs and driving ranges in support of the national plans for the development of the game in England, Scotland and Wales.
Golf Roots and the Golf Foundation www.golf-foundation.org