As part of its Annual Appeal, the Golf Foundation is asking members of golf clubs to tack £1 on to their membership subscription to raise cash for important grass roots golf development work in schools, golf facilities and through local authorities.
The Golf Foundation brings a first golf experience to more than 300,000 children each year and without this work, many children would miss out on golf completely.
The Foundation’s chief executive, Mike Round, argues that for the price of one post-round ‘half‘, the tonic in your G&T, or a toasted teacake, a significant impact can be made by golf clubs to help junior golf development in 2005.
If just 10 per cent of clubs add on £1 per member, around £150,000 will be raised for Golf Foundation initiatives like Tri-Golf, the modified golf game that has been specially developed for young children of five and upwards, or the Junior Golf Passport, which helps teach youngsters how to play golf and learn its rules and etiquette.
These are just two activities that will be further expanded as more golf clubs make the simple step to raise £1 per player, or contribute to the Annual Appeal in other ways.
Mike Round said, “Ideas like the donation of £1 per member can be of huge benefit to the Golf Foundation and our Annual Appeal. We know there are many good causes to give to outside of sport, many deserving causes, but this is an opportunity to give towards the future of junior golf in an appropriate way.”
Mike added: “The more money we raise from this initiative, the more we can do to support the national development plans in England, Scotland and Wales. As more youngsters take up and enjoy golf, it helps the industry as a whole and also the golf clubs themselves in the future, as more golfers come through to pay for full membership.”
Apart from the simple £1 idea, clubs can support the Golf Foundation appeal in the following ways:
- Take part in the annual Golf Foundation ‘Charity Challenge‘
- Take part in the annual Golf Foundation ‘Adult/Junior Foursomes‘
- Hold a Golf Foundation brooch or medal competition
- Make a club committee donation or organise a fundraising project
Golf clubs which raise £250 or more will be entered for a draw to win arguably the best production model golf car in the world, the Club Car Precedent. The car has been donated by Club Car to the Foundation to mark the recent retirement of Ken Schofield, as Executive Director of the European Tour.
Golf Foundation www.golf-foundation.org.