One of Britain’s best-known house-builders, Bryant Homes, has joined forces with The Professional Golfers’ Association and is backing a major initiative to attract a new generation to the world of golf.
Bryant Homes, part of Taylor Woodrow, has become an official PGA Partner and is funding a purpose-built 45ft mobile golf road-show, called Bringing Golf to You, which will visit locations across the UK from April – September 2003.
News of the Bryant Homes Road-show was announced as a curtain raiser to the 34th Ryder Cup Matches at The De Vere Belfry and PGA chief executive Sandy Jones says the decision to unveil the project this week reflects the importance of the initiative. “It’s the first time we have created a road-show on this scale and we believe it will reach more than 100,000 people of all ages across the country.
“Across England, Scotland and Wales roughly 1.2 million people are playing members of golf clubs but we feel the potential is much greater, not least because of the millions who tuned into their TVs and radios during The Open in July and will be caught up in the excitement of the Ryder Cup this weekend.
“It’s a great challenge to reach and then encourage newcomers to consider taking up the sport but we hope the Road-Show will enable us to find a new generation of potential players”, he added. “Without Bryant Homes’ commitment and financial support this campaign would certainly not have been possible.”
Bryant Homes decision to link with the PGA reflects the perceived lifestyle parallels between its house purchasers and golfers. This new approach by the company follows its change of ownership last year to become part of Taylor Woodrow plc whose turnover in the year ending 31 December 2001 exceeded £2 billion for the first time with operating profits up by 35 percent on the previous year to £224.2 million.
Details concerning the venues are expected to include schools, colleges, leisure centres and shopping centres as well as Bryant developments, county shows and some golf events.
PGA-qualified teaching professionals will offer free advice and tuition to everyone who is interested. All golf equipment is provided free of charge and for added safety, all instruction is given in specially designed inflatable golf nets.
Visitors to the unit will also be able to obtain information on golf clubs, coaching schemes and other golfing activities in the area around each location, in addition to details of Bryant developments.
The new partnership between Bryant Homes and the PGA also sees the launch of the Bryant Homes Golf Challenge, a series of ten regional golf events that will be run by the PGA at various courses across the country. The final will be held at The De Vere Belfry in September 2003.
The launch of the Bryant Homes Road-Show has also been welcomed by sports minister Richard Caborn MP.
Bryant Homes www.bryant.co.uk
PGA www.pga.info
The Ryder Cup www.rydercup.com