Teeofftimes.co.uk’s fundraising project to support the Golf Foundation topped the £7,500 mark during Open Championship week, and the only way to celebrate was a Tri-Golf challenge between General Manager Richard Barker and visiting boys and girls.
The leading tee time booking provider is using its strong golf club customer links to back the Golf Foundation’s HSBC Golf Roots programme, that is reaching hundreds of thousands of youngsters each year in schools and communities and then linking children to golf clubs to prepare them for regular play.
Selected group and independent golf clubs are being asked by the Golf Foundation to donate funds raised from the sale of up to four golf course green fees, collected by the Teeofftimes.co.uk team.
To celebrate the £7,500 so far achieved, the Golf Foundation team persuaded both Richard Barker and Steve Hemsworth, Managing Director of parent company Golfbreaks.com, to take part in a Tri-Golf challenge against a group of ultra-keen youngsters during The Open Championship.
The Golf Foundation ran golf activity for the week at Royal Liverpool (including Tri-Golf for younger children and StreetGolf for 11 year-olds and up) as guests of The R&A, offering children their very first go at golf and showcasing HSBC Golf Roots to visiting families.
Richard and Steve hit some excellent Tri-Golf shots at the colourful targets but were probably just second best to the very youngsters who the company is supporting through this unique fundraising programme. This continues throughout the summer with more donated tee times expecting to arrive at a final figure over the £10,000 mark.
Richard Barker, General Manager of Teeofftimes.co.uk, said: “What better way to celebrate the project so far than with a great game of Tri-Golf with the youngsters. It was really interesting to meet the Foundation’s full team and the children in the R&A Swingzone and learn about where funds will be spent. We saw how the youngsters can enjoy scoring success with Tri-Golf right from their first hits and we were no match for them!”
Richard added: “For Teeofftimes.co.uk, a company that is working with key partners in providing playing opportunities for all golfers, we wanted to put something back into the game by supporting the Golf Foundation in this way.”
Mike Round, Chief Executive of the Golf Foundation, said: “Richard and Steve’s appearance was very much enjoyed by youngsters and our team alike. They were great sports and this is no surprise given their great enthusiasm for our aims as a charity to help grow the game.”
Golf clubs who would like to find out more about how they can become involved at a local level with the Golf Foundation can contact one of seven Regional Development Officers through the ‘Contact Us’ button at www.golf-foundation.org
Teeofftimes.co.uk www.teeofftimes.co.uk
Contact General Manager Richard Barker on 07793 775207, or email RBarker@teeofftimes.co.uk