Crown Golf, Europe’s largest golf course owner/operator, is asking all 20,000 of its members to support the Golf Foundation’s newly launched ‘Commit to junior golf’ campaign.
Crown Golf, which currently owns 31 golf clubs and 54 courses, is the first golf club operator to back the new campaign, which was launched 30th November. The appeal – aimed at members of all golf clubs – will raise funds needed to bring more youngsters into golf clubs and protect the future of the game. The Golf Foundation is urging clubs to introduce an optional £2 levy into their annual member subscriptions, believing this to be the simplest, fairest way to involve the highest possible number of members in grass roots golf development.
Crown Golf has a growing portfolio of members’ golf clubs and golf clubs offering added leisure and lifestyle facilities, the majority of which are found in the South East of England.
Crown Golf chairman Maurice Kelly said, “The team at Crown Golf is proud to back the Golf Foundation and its commitment to grass roots golf. We are delighted to be the first to ask our members to support this and we are sure they will be happy to give their backing to this worthy campaign.”
Chief executive of the Golf Foundation Mike Round said, “We are really pleased with this fantastic commitment from Crown Golf, giving our new campaign the best possible start. Every golfer who loves the sport would happily donate £2 to help protect and grow the game. The beauty of this new campaign is that it gives clubs the opportunity to encourage members to decide for themselves.”
The Golf Foundation has set itself the target of 50 per cent of golf clubs adopting the scheme throughout the next five years, raising a potential £1 million per year. The charity, which works on behalf of the national golf partnerships in England, Scotland and Wales, currently helps 500,000 children a year to experience golf for the first time, creating successful pathways that feed school children into golf clubs, and providing structured learning within golf clubs.
Crown Golf www.crown-golf.co.uk
Golf Foundation www.golf-foundation.org