The Golf Foundation has announced that 2000 was a very satisfactory year. Income increased by 47% to £1.322 million and expenditure on grass-roots development initiatives increased by 12% to £1.266 million leaving an operating surplus of £56,000. In addition to its own expenditure, the Foundation’s Development Team, working with local partnerships, introduced over £80,000 of new funding from the Sports Lottery ‘Awards for All’ programme for local projects.
During the year, Tri-Golf, the introductory game targeted at primary schools was successfully launched. Beginner courses were organised at 325 Golf Foundation Starter Centres spread across the British Isles, nearly 2,000 groups of young people received subsidised coaching in schools, clubs and special needs centres, 32,500 Merit Award cards were issued and over 250 Junior Golf Leaders were trained in conjunction with the PGA.
In England and Scotland the Foundation worked closely with the Men’s Unions, Ladies’ Associations and the PGA through national partnerships to implement co-ordinated junior development plans. These plans aim to provide young people in each country with a continuous path from beginner to junior club member, and it is hoped that formal partnerships in Wales and Ireland will be established in the future.
Chairman, Ian Peacock said, “I am delighted that the value of the role that the Golf Foundation now plays has been recognised and that we have received such generous backing from the R&A, the European Tour, the PGA and Ryder Cup Limited.There is still much more work to be done but the Foundation has every reason to look to the future with optimism.”
The Golf Foundation has recognised the achievements of many supporters. At its annual awards ceremony held at Wentworth on 17th May. Alex and Dianne Brown were presented with the Sir Henry Cotton award in recognition of the enormous amount of time and effort they put into developing junior golf on the island of Islay in Scotland. Millfield Golf Club, Lincolnshire, was presented with the Gus Payne Trophy having raised an incredible £4,000 for the Foundation and retiring PGA Professional John Amos of Piltdown Golf Club was given special recognition for his fund-raising efforts over many years.
A new Development Award was given to Epping Golf Centre were with limited facilities a comprehensive development programme for juniors has been established.
Golf Foundation www.golf-foundation.org Tel: 01920 876200