The PGA has delivered a big boost to the Golf Foundation with a £50,000 donation to help the leading golf charity continue to grow the game at grass roots level.
Among the projects run by the Foundation as part of its HSBC Golf Roots programme are Street Golf, Golf Xtreme and Tri-Golf sessions in the community and local schools.
And many PGA Professionals work closely with the Foundation helping to deliver a wide range of initiatives in the community.
The Foundation has been instrumental in breaking down barriers in golf and making the sport more accessible for juniors to help boost participation rates.
Among its successes is the Junior Golf Passport scheme which has proved popular with pros and is aimed at enhancing the experience of youngsters and helping clubs attract new golfers to the game.
PGA chief executive Sandy Jones said: “The Golf Foundation and PGA Professionals play a vital part in encouraging the next generation of golfers into the sport and every day, their energy and enthusiasm makes a real difference and we are delighted to support their fantastic work.”
Brendon Pyle, chief executive of the Golf Foundation, and the Foundation’s chairman, Charles Harrison were presented with the cheque at The PGA’s annual fundraising lunch in London at the Grosvenor House Hotel.
“The Golf Foundation is delighted to receive this funding from the PGA, which is one of this charity’s greatest supporters,” said Pyle. “The PGA’s members all understand the vital importance of encouraging the next generation of young people into golf and this money will be invested wisely.
“The purpose of this charity is to make golf and its benefits available to any young person and to help them ‘Start, Learn and Stay’ in the sport.
“PGA Professionals play a key role in all of our HSBC Golf Roots projects, which created more than 3,600 new junior members in clubs in England alone last year.
“By 2018 we aim to annually generate 5,000 new members per year, 10,000 new regular players and introduce 25,000 new young people to regular coaching. We cannot achieve this ambitious growth without the help and work of the PGA’s members.”
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Golf Foundation www.golf-foundation.org