Golf Business News – IR&A Foundation benefits from new donor funding to support global programs

A number of golf-related programs around the world will benefit from the support of the R&A Foundation thanks to the donations generated by the global charity programme.

From 2023, sponsors have been invited to support the R&A Foundation and increase funding reinvested by The R&A in sport with profits from The Open.

This provides more opportunities for individuals and communities around the world to benefit from golf across five broad themes of accessibility, sustainability, health, heritage and talent.

Since the start of this new phase, donors have pledged more than £6.3 million and £2 million has been pledged.

Supporters include Rolex, the Arnold & Winnie Palmer Foundation, AIG and an international group of individual donors.

More than £700,000 in unrestricted donations – funds that can be used for any purpose in line with the R&A Foundation’s charitable objectives – are now being allocated to a range of programs that will transform lives and communities through golf.

Phil Anderton, Chief Development Officer at the R&A, said, “Thanks to the additional funds raised through our global philanthropy, the R&A Foundation is able to significantly increase its support for people and communities around the world through golf.

“Using unrestricted donations, we are able to support a number of important projects around the world in our five themes. This shows the positive impact the philanthropy program has had in its first year of fundraising and the generosity of our donors.”

Recipients include the Royal and Ancient Golf Club Scholarship, a new award designed to identify, support and develop the next generation of golf leaders.

Golf It Projects! in Glasgow and the R&A World Golf Museum in St Andrews are also supported, along with conservation initiatives and the international launch of the Community Golf Education Programme.

Allocation of 2023 R&A Foundation unrestricted funding:

Accessibility

• The creation of the ‘Fairways to Learning’ program at Golf It! in Glasgow, an annual high school program for secondary students to attend the center for ten weeks to develop personal and employability skills and gain work, training and real life experience.
• Create a Community Garden project at Golf It! to grow new produce for use in neighboring communities. Features of the garden were created by inmates at HMP Barlinnie enrolled in joinery and metalwork courses.
• International launch of the Community Golf Instruction Program, including in Romania, the Netherlands, the Philippines, Vietnam, Egypt and Uganda, after the training program was launched in Great Britain and Ireland.

Life

• Paragolfer donation to Woburn Golf Club, host of The G4D Open, to create a legacy from the Tournament and empower those with lower limb disabilities to continue playing the game. The Golf Trust will partner with Woburn and engage in community initiatives to raise awareness, confidence and create a pathway from community to community.
• PhD funding to study the mental health of elite golfers throughout the professional journey.

Gems

• The AIG Women’s Open showcases before the Championship at St Andrews in August.
• A new exhibition is being prepared at The R&A World Golf Museum to capture the material (photos and oral history) of the Caddies’ experience at St Andrews over the past 60 years.

Sustainability

• Support for First Green – the golf industry’s initiative to inspire the next generation of stewards – and promote the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) skills found in golf.
• Creation of a unique international scholar exchange program in partnership with the USGA. To provide R&A Greenkeeping Scholars and USGA Interns with the opportunity to attend international competitions and the R&A Sustainable Agronomy team and the USGA Green Section to host international students and interns.
• Promoting ‘Conservation Appreciation Day’ around the world, with a particular focus on under-represented groups in the workforce and the resources available through The R&A Global Alliance: Golf Development Portal.
• Postgraduate research funding at the University of St Andrews focuses on the use of technology to measure the carbon footprint, and climate impact of golf courses.
• The global rollout of the R&A’s Golf and Nature study was pioneered in Great Britain and Ireland to produce a one-year course on the nature and biodiversity found on golf courses in Europe.

Talent

• The Royal and Ancient Golf Club Scholarship is to support the first cohort of up to 12 young people with education and support through golf scholarships for four years.
• Support for Africa High Performance players (with travel, accommodation and entry fees) to compete in World Amateur Golf Ranking® (WAGR®) events in and within Africa, thereby building knowledge and providing opportunities for progression.
• The support of the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific Academy to cover the costs of coaches and customization, following the model successfully developed in the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship. It involves 12-14 women from countries including India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, UAE, Singapore and Vietnam for six days in person and an online platform for follow-up development.

For more information and to support the R&A Foundation, visit randa.org/foundation