The Golf Foundation has thanked the European Tour for the “wonderful support” it has given junior golf during three major tournaments held on home soil during the last month.
With backing and funding from the European Tour the junior golf charity has been able to provide a junior golf centre at Tour events for visiting families and also parties from local schools and Golf Foundation Starter Centres. Children from as young as three have hit their first shots at targets with specially modified Tri-Golf clubs and balls. In all, it has been estimated that around 3,700 youngsters enjoyed their first taste of golf during the Daily Telegraph Dunlop Masters and the BMW Championship in May, and the Celtic Manor Wales Open held last week.
James Handford, marketing manager of the Golf Foundation, said, “This run of three big European Tour events, coming at the time of the year they did and the massive media attention they received, was hugely important to the Golf Foundation. To have the opportunity to introduce golf to so many youngsters early in the summer is priceless. That they hit their first shots while watching champions of the class of Bjorn, Cabrera and Jimà©nez will only fuel their enthusiasm. This great little run for junior golf would not have been possible without the wonderful support from the European Tour.”
The Golf Foundation also had much praise for its sports event delivery partner – F11 Golf – which staged and managed the colourful junior events at the three tournaments.
“F11 Golf did a great job,” said James Handford. “To manage a golf centre all day, every day, for the four days of a major tournament, is no mean task. They looked after and encouraged 3,700 children over 12 days on the European Tour, in such a dynamic and colourful way. This is testament to the commitment of F11 Golf’s team under Events Manager Nikki DeBoo.”
The Golf Foundation will now regroup and will soon enjoy a major presence at the 134th Open Championship at St Andrews in July, this time with support from the R&A and PGA. The Foundation offers an open invitation to all attending families to come and have a go at golf, older children receiving free lessons from PGA professionals.
Golf Foundation www.golf-foundation.org
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