Funds presented at the Annual Open Championship Lunch at St Andrews last week will go towards growing the game and attracting new players to the sport.
Having first teamed up last year at Turnberry, the three partners; IFM Sports Marketing Surveys, the British Golf Industry Association (BGIA) and The Golf Foundation presented the special lunch event at the famous Macdonald Rusacks Hotel, a pitching wedge from the famous 18th green of the Old Course.
Guests were welcomed by Golf Foundation Chief Executive Mike Round and were treated to a short video presentation of the great work the Golf Foundation is undertaking within grassroots golf.
Highlights of the event included the presentation by BGIA Chairman Doug Poole of the BGIA’s Charity Golf Day proceeds of £10,000 to the Grow Golf Fund – an industry-led initiative committed to continuing its role as a major contributor to the future growth of the game.
A detailed presentation was then provided by John Bushell, director of IFM Sports Marketing Surveys, on annual sporting facts including FIFA World Cup audience figures, the changing face of Premier League sponsorship deals, anticipation of a British winner at Wimbledon, and an exciting year ahead, with the Ryder Cup and Rugby World Cup.
There was also a positive message with regards to golf in the UK, with 2009 showing an increase in rounds played, adult golfers returning to over 3.9m. and the highest proportion of adult female golfers recorded.
Many of the golf industry’s most influential figures were invited to attend the lunch, now a regular event in the golf industry calendar. The event served as an opportunity to talk about how everyone can work together to help the golf industry to grow in the years to come and to air fresh perspectives and ideas on the development of the sport.
BGIA www.bgia.org.uk
IFM Sports Marketing Surveys www.sportsmarketingsurveys.com