R&A To Fund Golf In Africa, Asia And Europe


The R&A has announced a series of grants aimed at supporting the development of golf, particularly at a grassroots level, around the world. Countries in receipt of grants include India, Malawi and Swaziland, where R&A funding will ensure that international events and initiatives continue to reinforce the growth in the game already taking place in Africa and Asia.

Duncan Weir, The R&A's Director of Golf Development said: "It is our long-term aim to grow the game on a worldwide basis and this latest list of grants underlines our commitment to doing just that. We are fortunate that the annual surplus from The Open Championship enables us to distribute funds widely and we know that this can only have a positive effect on the aspirations of players in those countries where golf is still in its infancy."

R&A Grants for 2006

China-Scotland Partnership – £400,000 over three years to continue education program first funded in 2000.

European Golf Association – £20,000 towards the 2006 European Young Masters being played in Austria in July.

Faldo Series – £20,000 towards existing European activities and £60,000 towards the expansion of its work in Asia.

Golf Foundation – £500,000 towards junior development work in England, Scotland and Wales.

Golfing Union of Ireland – £50,000 towards new academy and public driving range at Carton House outside Dublin.

Indian Golf Union – £25,000 towards ongoing development program.

Ladies Golf Union – 2006 Curtis Cup in Oregon, USA, £35,000 towards GB&I team costs.

2007 Vagliano Trophy at St Andrews Bay – £15,000 towards match costs.

2008 Curtis Cup at St Andrews (Old Course) – Up to £150,000 towards match costs.

Malawi Golf Union – £10,000 towards the 2006 All Africa Junior Championship.

New Zealand Golf Association – £25,000 towards the 2006 Bonallack Trophy being played at Auckland GC in April. This is a biennial men's amateur international match played between Europe and the Asia-Pacific which started in 1998.

Royal Spanish Golf Federation – £16,000 towards the 2006 European Youths' Team Championship being played at La Canada in July.

Scottish Golf Union – £15,000 towards the 2007 European Men's Amateur Team Championship being played at Western Gailes, Ayrshire.

Swaziland Golf Union – £28,000 towards the 2006 Zone VI event. This is an annual men's amateur international team championship involving countries from southern and eastern Africa.

In addition, Swaziland will receive £7,000 towards the purchase of a new vehicle to assist with its junior development program. £150,000 will be spent on the purchase and distribution of reconditioned greenkeeping machinery. In 2005, similar equipment was sent to the Falkland Islands, Iceland, Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

1,000 sets of TaylorMade Kids' Clubs will be distributed overseas. In 2005, a similar number went to Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, El Salvador, Ghana, Guatemala, India, Kenya, Morocco, Peru, Poland, Romania, Russia, Swaziland, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.