Spain, one of four nations bidding for The 2022 Ryder Cup Match, aims to utilise the unique platform provided by the event to help boost junior participation levels and inspire more than one million golfers to take up the game by 2022.
Over the past four years, The Royal Spanish Golf Federation (RFEG) has already successfully initiated the ‘Golf en Colegios’ – Golf in Schools – programme throughout Spain. The programme, which established golf as a formal activity in 300 schools across the country, has already introduced more than 100,000 children to the game.
The RFEG’s work in attracting junior players has included additional funding for schools to purchase equipment, alongside training teachers on how to make golf more enjoyable for children. The RFEG has also been working alongside golf clubs to encourage more school children onto the golf course through subsidised lessons or family-specific discounts.
Commenting on The 2022 Ryder Cup bid and the opportunity it provides to inspire more children to play golf, Gonzaga Escauriaza, President of the Royal Spanish Golf Federation, said: “The 2022 Ryder Cup Match is not just about three days of competition. If our bid is successful, it will help us secure a pre and post event legacy that will change the way Spain thinks about golf.
“If we are selected, hosting The 2022 Ryder Cup Match will enable us to increase our investment in the Golf in Schools programme, first in Catalunya and subsequently right across Spain. With the enhanced profile, awareness and investment The 2022 Match can bring, we aim to have more than 3,000 schools taking part in the programme and 1,000,000 children introduced to the sport by 2022.
“This is a unique opportunity and RFEG aims to inspire the next generation of Spanish golfers to follow in the footsteps of our country’s many Ryder Cup greats.”
Find out more about RFEG’s ‘Golf en Colegios’ programme here
Spain’s 2022 Ryder Cup bid www.costabravabarcelona2022.com
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