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Annual Review. 2019/20 The R&A Annual Review 1

Foreword

This foreword comes with the overriding hope that those connected with our in whatever capacity remain safe and well, despite the pandemic which has caused such great human tragedy and economic disaster for so many.

Golf courses in many countries have hosted this and produced a ‘fairy-tale’ It remains to be seen how the been closed during the last year and winner in Germany’s , who infrastructure of our sport will recover the lockdowns that have been put in belied her world ranking of 307 to win from the impact of economic damage place affect the people of all those impressively with a score of 277. In the wrought by the pandemic as hopefully the nations, whose safety is now dependent process, she made many friends, who virus eventually recedes, both in the UK on the successful roll-out of life saving learned of her successful struggle to and beyond. However, as we look forward, vaccinations, however long that may overcoming adversity - the hallmark of one challenge for us all is to capitalise take. Without question, this has been a true champion. on the surge in interest in during a time of great challenge for the 2020. This resulted in great increases in whole world. The pandemic resulted in either the number of rounds played, golf being cancellation or postponement of recognised as a sport that could be Our own sport was significantly all major amateur golf (including played safely under slightly modified rules impacted in 2020 by the cancellation international matches) apart from throughout most of the pandemic. of The 149th Open, due to be played The Women’s Amateur Championship at Royal St George’s last July. Hugely and . One of our own initiatives is the launch of disappointing as it was, this was the Both events were played - like #FOREeveryone, a toolkit and resource correct decision for the Championship The AIG Women’s Open - with no available to Golf Clubs in Great Britain itself, our sport and the UK. We look spectators present. Aline Krauter, and to both attract and retain forward to July of this year, when also from Germany and ’s more women and girls in the sport. This Contents. Champion Golfer will Joe Long emerged as champions project is supported by the Home Unions Chief Executive’s Review . . . 2 defend the he so memorably respectively at West Lancashire and as well as The PGA and other bodies. won at Royal Portrush in 2019. Royal Birkdale and will this year enjoy COVID-19 impact ...... 4 the exemptions which come with their We at The R&A are certainly looking Financial Summary ...... 5 The impact of the pandemic on golf impressive victories forward greatly to this year and will in many countries represented by The continue to do all we can, working Financial Highlights . . . . . 6 R&A’s Affiliates has been profound and Although we ran a limited amount of with our various global partners, to Summary of Financial Results .7 we established a fund of £7m to help elite competitive golf last year, The develop and improve our sport at this offset its damaging effects. These R&A’s governance responsibilities important time. Our Investment in Golf . . . .8 funds have been very greatly welcomed continued as usual. We welcomed Governance ...... 10 by recipients. the gradual but consistent roll out of the World System, which Professional Championships .12 Our own 2020 highlight was has been well received internationally. Amateur Golf ...... 14 undoubtedly The AIG Women’s Open - Although our work on the vitally the most important championship held important Distance Insights Project was Golf Development ...... 16 (for men or women) last year outside the put on hold following the first onset of Ian Pattinson The R&A Foundation . . . . 18 United States of America. Royal Troon the pandemic, this has now resumed. Chairman, The R&A Sustainability ...... 20 Affiliated Organisations . . .22 Our world of golf ...... 24 2 The R&A Annual Review 3

Chief Executive’s Review

Sadly, the last year has in many ways The publication of the Distance Insights The Open continues to have a been dominated by the COVID-19 Report is highly significant for golf and substantial impact on the economy pandemic. Sport rightly took a back seat provides comprehensive research and of the host region in which it is played to looking after the health and wellbeing analysis on the contributors to, and each year and, in 2019, over £100 million of our families and loved ones. That has long-term impacts of, hitting distance. in economic benefit was provided to been the absolute priority for all of us but The report demonstrates that increases as a result of staging in a business sense we were obliged to in hitting distance have affected some the Championship. We also recognise take some extremely difficult decisions of the essential elements of playing the importance of the relationships we on the staging of our professional and golf, including changing the strategic have with the local communities and amateur championships last year. challenge of the sport, altering the businesses near to the venues and we balance of skills needed to be successful invested £100,000 in legacy projects Since last March, our focus has been on and risking courses becoming less which will positively enhance the local ensuring that we do all that we can to help challenging or potentially obsolete. communities in Portrush. support everyone involved in golf, from those working in the sport to the millions We have committed to working in Our partnership with AIG is continuing of people who play around the world. collaboration with the key stakeholders to provide benefits for women’s golf. In in golf to address this issue and assess 2019, we made a significant increase in the We have undertaken important work potential solutions that can help end prize money available for the competing with the All-Party Parliamentary Group the cycle of increased distance in a way golfers in the AIG Women’s British Open for Golf and other golf bodies in the that brings the entire sport together. in recognition of the Championship’s UK to co-ordinate the safe playing of We are working closely with the USGA importance to women’s golf, while last golf with the government and devolved throughout this process to help ensure year a new brand was launched to signify administrations and to provide golf clubs that golf remains sustainable and our intention to elevate the Championship and facilities with important guidance on enjoyable for generations to come. around the world and it will now be known operations and resuming play safely. This as the AIG Women’s Open. Five world- has also included temporary measures for The introduction of the new World class venues have also been announced applying the recreationally Handicap System last year was another as hosts of the AIG Women’s Open to and in competition. important step towards modernising the 2025, demonstrating our commitment to sport and meeting the needs of today’s raising the profile of the Championship. As a result, we were able to lay important golfer. Our hope is that its launch will be foundations for golf’s response to the a catalyst for change and will embrace We have enjoyed a remarkable two years pandemic when measures were lifted in all golfers whatever their level of ability, in which Hinako Shibuno and Sophia Spring last year and this has since enabled while broadening the sport’s appeal to Popov became first-time Major champions many people to enjoy the sport’s physical new audiences. As with the new Rules of in extraordinary circumstances – Shibuno and mental health benefits during a time Golf, we will see a period of adjustment in her first appearance outside of Japan when a real premium has been placed on but once the new system beds-in we and Popov in having overcome adversity to create a more inclusive culture, more women to seek careers within Sustainability is an important area of individual wellbeing. will see golfers and golf clubs benefit in to lift the title. nurturing greater female participation the golf industry. It will continue work for the organisation. We were many ways. and encouraging more women into roles to support the development and delighted to launch The Open Water We also worked in close collaboration At the heart of The R&A’s Women in Golf within the golf industry. In providing more progression of women who have the Project at Royal Portrush and the with our health advisers, partners and We knew that The Open’s return to Charter is a desire to inspire more women support to clubs and facilities to attract potential to become future leaders removal of all single-use plastic water government officials to be able to stage Northern Ireland for the first time since and girls to follow their dreams and and retain more females into the sport, within the golf industry, which is vital bottles from the venue is an important the AIG Women’s Open and our men’s 1951 was going to be a truly special aspirations to reach the highest levels of we hope that #FOREeveryone can inspire to improving gender balance at the step towards our aim of significantly and women’s amateur championships occasion but I do not think anyone could golf. Our agreement with the European tangible change and provide a supporting senior levels of organisations operating reducing the environmental impact of safely. The AIG Women’s Open was a have been prepared for the energy, Tour to jointly support a new LPGA-LET mechanism for clubs well into the future. in the sport. staging the Championship. We also real boost for women’s professional golf noise, laughter, celebration, emotion partnership is fully consistent with these funded several organisations to carry when playing opportunities had been and passion for golf that came from the aims and we look forward to working with We also look forward to staging a new We believe that golf should be open out vital research into the sustainability significantly curtailed and was the first record 237,750 fans who watched home them on this important venture to build a elite amateur championship for women to everyone regardless of race, gender issues affecting golf to assist in providing major women’s championship to be favourite Shane Lowry lift the Claret Jug strong and sustainable Ladies European in Latin America in partnership with or background. We have introduced a insights and best practice that can be played anywhere in the world last year. at Royal Portrush. It was equal to any Tour that includes more opportunities the ANNIKA Foundation. The Women’s range of initiatives to help modernise shared with the industry. sporting event I have seen. for women and girls to pursue their Amateur Latin America championship golf and make it more accessible, While all of us involved in administering ambitions here in . will provide a vital pathway for the appealing and inclusive for the modern golf fully recognise the extent of the The government and local agencies region’s aspiring female golfers to reach society we live in. We know that golf challenge we have been presented with, in Northern Ireland contributed We continue to pursue ways in which we their full potential and compete in a has a lot of work to do to make it it is also important not to lose sight of significantly to its success and I thank can grow the sport for women and girls, world-class environment. more appealing, which we believe is the progress made throughout the last those organisations for their support as it is fundamental to its success now vital for ensuring that it continues 18 months and to look at the positive and involvement in staging the biggest and in the future. Last year, we launched Our Women in Golf Leadership to be enjoyed not only today but by Martin Slumbers outcomes that were achieved. sporting event the country has ever seen. #FOREeveryone as part of a cohesive Development Programme encourages future generations. Chief Executive, The R&A 4 The R&A Annual Review 5

COVID-19 pandemic 2019 Financial Summary

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted all areas of society, including sport, and the Overview Group Financial Results organisation’s work in 2020 has been affected in many different ways. Difficult but The R&A is aiming to invest £200 million donations to The R&A Foundation of The parent company of The R&A’s Group necessary decisions were made across the entire organisation’s activities, meaning into golf over a ten-year period £5.9 million to support the charity’s work of Companies is R&A Trust Company including its golf development activities, in developing the sport. (No. 1 Limited). The consolidated that it has had to adapt and be flexible to deal with the many implications for golf governance of the sport and staging financial results for the group are which have been created by the pandemic. world class championships. Significant investment was also made recorded in this entity. The figures set in enhancing the staging of world-class out below are not the statutory accounts This investment is largely supported amateur championships in Great Britain but a summary of information extracted COVID-19 Fund The Open for The Ages Promotional campaigns by the proceeds of The Open. The and Ireland, as well as Asia, including from the group’s financial statements for 148th Open at Royal Portrush was The and the Women’s the year ended 31 December 2019. A £7 million funding package was created The R&A invited golf fans around A series of informative and entertaining a successful championship from a Amateur Asia-Pacific Championship. by the organisation to support the sport in the world to take part in a very social media campaigns were run to commercial point of view thanks to an The R&A’s primary charitable entity mitigating the impacts of the pandemic, special celebration of golf’s original provide golfers with alternative means increase in income generated by the Funding was provided for the is The R&A Foundation. The R&A including temporary course closures championship following the to enjoy golf during the period when sale of media rights to broadcasters in development and launch of the World Foundation prepares standalone and drastic reduction in domestic and cancellation of The 149th Open lockdown measures were in place to a number of key territories, sponsorship Handicap System, as well as the financial statements which do not international travel. last year. mitigate the pandemic. and commercial activities. organisation’s work with the USGA on form part of the consolidated financial the Distance Insights project. results of The R&A Group of Companies. The fund was largely aimed at national The Open for The Ages brought #GolfAtHome delivered creative content The proceeds generated by The Open The R&A Foundation is a registered federations and other affiliated bodies together many of golf’s greatest across The R&A’s social media channels, enabled the organisation to invest After all costs, the organisation Scottish charity. in Great Britain and Ireland, who will champions for the first time to covering fitness, nutrition, Rules, tips and £19.1 million into the sport in 2019, generated a profit of £18.1 million in administer the allocation of money to compete against each other over trick shots to help keep golfers active, bringing the total investment made to the year to 31 December 2019. This support clubs and facilities in these the Old Course at in a informed and amused. R&A Ambassador £50.4 million since the current business profit included an upwards fair value countries, while around £2 million of compelling and innovative three- also provided her very own strategy was initiated in 2017. adjustment of £11.4 million to the the total was also awarded to affiliated hour broadcast production. #GolfAtHome series of tips and advice £18.1m group’s investment portfolio. The national federations in countries around for budding golfers. During 2019, The R&A provided grants R&A’s balance sheet at the end of After all costs, the organisation the world. This exclusive edition of The totalling £3.0 million to various projects 2019 was strong, with net assets of generated a profit of £18.1 million Open featured 50 years of archive #RulesFromTheGarden with Grant and initiatives, as well as charitable £148 million. in the year to 31 December 2019 Safe resumption of footage expertly edited and woven Moir, Director of Rules at The R&A, playing golf together with modern graphics proved a hit with golfers looking to and new commentary to imagine brush up on their knowledge of the The R&A, in collaboration with the All- a Championship contested by sport’s regulations. A number of Party Parliamentary Group for Golf, the legends of the sport including Rules situations were explained using led a working group of UK golf bodies , , Seve props and objects from Grant’s front in coordinating the safe resumption of Ballesteros, , Sir Nick garden to help golfers understand £19.1m golf in England, Ireland, and Faldo and Rory McIlroy. how to apply the Rules correctly in Wales with the UK government and these circumstances. The proceeds generated by devolved administrations. The Open for The Ages was broadcast in a final round The Open official films and episodes The Open enabled the organisation The group provided golf clubs and facilities programme that aired on Sunday of Chronicles of a Champion Golfer to invest £19.1 million into with important guidance on operations 19 July globally to fans around the were provided free to fans of the the sport in 2019 and resuming play safely in these countries world on TV, TheOpen.com and championship throughout the lockdown while greenkeepers were provided with The Open’s social media channels. period, while a new podcast, ‘The Essential Maintenance Guidelines to help It was supported by HSBC and Open Conversation’ was launched to them prepare their courses for play. NTT DATA, both Patrons of enable fans to get up close and listen The Open. to their favourite golfers including Golfers were also advised about temporary Open champions Tom Watson, modifications to the Rules and behaviours The R&A has since won many Padraig Harrington, Shane Lowry, Louis to be adopted to ensure golf is played industry awards in recognition of Oosthuizen, and 2020 Financial Summary safely during the pandemic. the pioneering concept. .

The R&A’s financial results for the The R&A’s championships in 2020 were the financial impact of the pandemic on year ended 31 December 2020 significantly impacted by the pandemic our championships and the business more are scheduled to be published and the commercial aspects of those widely during 2020. The R&A therefore in the summer of 2021. Those championships were also affected. remains in a strong financial position at financial results for 2020 will be However, the group had invested in an the end of 2020 and well positioned to included in the next edition of the extensive programme of insurance which continue its role in the development of Annual Review. has helped to mitigate to a large extent golf around the world. 6 The R&A Annual Review 7

2019 Financial Highlights Summary of 2019 Financial Results £13.5m The financial results for R&A Trust Company (No. 1) Limited for The group’s operating profits the year ended 31 December 2019 are summarised as follows: increased by 12% on the previous year to £13.5 million £108 Group Income Statement 31.12.2019 31.12.2018 £000’s £000’s million £5.9m Turnover 107,978 99,196 Cost of sales (66,982) (63,294) The group made Gross profit 40,996 35,902 The group’s turnover exceeded £100 million charitable donations of £5.9 million to The R&A Administration expenses (24,526) (22,603) for the first time in its history. Foundation in support of its Grants payable (2,963) (1,195) charitable activities, up from Operating profit 13,507 12,104 £5.6 million made in 2018 Charitable donation (5,863) (5,607) Investment gains/(losses) 13,635 (2,665) Net interest income 610 457 £3m £121m £148m Profit before tax 21,889 4,289 The group made direct golf The market value of the The group’s net assets development grants group’s investment portfolio increased to £148 million Balance Sheet of £3 million, up from grew to £121 million from from £129 million in 31.12.2019 31.12.2018 £1.2 million made in 2018 £103 million last year the previous year £000’s £000’s Fixed assets Tangible assets 13,063 11,035 Intangible assets 671 456 Investments 121,049 102,894 Negative goodwill (602) (633) Loans recoverable 5,037 5,360 Sub-total 139,218 119,112

Current assets Stocks 365 337 Debtors 29,963 30,065 Currency hedge assets 8,498 15,536 Cash and short term deposits 27,051 21,857

Creditors falling due within one year (50,243) (45,918) Net current assets 15,634 21,877

Creditors falling due after one year (6,662) (11,052)

Pension asset/(liability) - (538)

Net assets 148,190 129,399

Capital and reserves Called up share capital 5,000 5,000 Currency hedge reserve - (107) Profit and loss reserves 143,190 124,506

Net assets 148,190 129,399 8 The R&A Annual Review 9

Our Investment 2019 Investment in Golf Highlights

In 2019, The R&A £1m invested £19.1 million £8.5 in support of the British Golf Museum into golf. Since launching The R&A million £884k £513k Playbook in 2017, the made in grants to in support of championships and in support of university golf, events, including junior golf including student scholarships cumulative investment support golf development in the sport by the around the world: end of 2019 was £755k £500k Golf Development in support of professional golf to The Golf Foundation £50.4 million, which includes £20.6 million £1.7m in golf development, provided to national £16.4 million in associations affiliated to The R&A governance of the £122k sport, £8.8 million in staging world class £551k amateur championships on sustainability projects on greenkeeping scholarships and £4.6 million in supporting other £1.2m Governance Amateur Championships Other activities golf activities. in support of m m m Women in Golf £5.2 £3.8 £1.6 initiatives £5.2 million invested in £3.8 million invested in £1.6m in supporting other governance of the sport staging world class amateur projects, including the legacy including Rules of Golf, championships including funds which provide support to Equipment Standards and the 16 championships for men, the local communities in which World Handicap System women, boys and girls The Open is staged each year 10 The R&A Annual Review 11

Governance

The R&A and USGA issued the Distance Golfers around the world are benefiting while 107 Rules seminars were held by 34 Insights Report in February last year, from the roll-out of the new World different affiliates of which 64 were Level 1 providing comprehensive research and Handicap System (WHS) that was seminars and 43 Level 2 seminars. analysis on the contributors to and long- implemented worldwide throughout last term impacts of hitting distance in golf. year and provides them with a unified and The organisation also continues to more inclusive handicapping system. The support golfers with both digital and After extensive stakeholder research, introduction of the new system was the printed versions of the new Rules of the report featured more than 100 culmination of a collaborative project that Golf. Over 2 million copies of the Player’s years of data, informed by a library started in 2011 and has been led by The Edition of the Rules of Golf have been of 56 supporting documents. It was R&A and the USGA with the support of produced while the Rules app for accompanied by a 15-page conclusions the six existing handicapping authorities smartphones, which covers 15 languages, paper from the governing bodies that around the world. has been downloaded by more than summarised their perspectives on the 420,000 users worldwide. potential implications for the sport. The new system is more in tune with the way modern golf is played, will be The R&A’s Rules Academy is an online The impact of long-term hitting distance more inclusive by embracing all golfers resource available in multiple languages increases on some of golf’s essential whatever their level of ability and is and provides educational materials for elements are clear – including changing helping to broaden the sport’s appeal to learning about the Rules and sitting the the strategic challenge of the sport, a much wider audience. The introduction Level 1 exam. Over 13,000 users have altering the balance of skills needed to of WHS will mean that golfers are given a registered with the Rules Academy, with be successful and risking courses being consistent measure of playing ability, with the highest number of users coming less challenging or obsolete. handicaps calculated in the same way from Australia, Canada and Great Britain wherever they are in the world and enable and Ireland. The R&A and the USGA will work with more golfers to obtain and maintain the key stakeholders in golf to address a handicap. Last year, The R&A and USGA issued a this issue in a way that brings the set of temporary modifications to allow sport together and which ensures it The Rules of Amateur Status are being the safe resumption of golf during the continues to thrive for many years to reviewed by The R&A and the USGA to COVID-19 pandemic. These related to come. To encourage contributions from make them easier to understand and scoring in , use of flagsticks, manufacturers and other stakeholders apply. The comprehensive evaluation the hole and definition of holed, and use in the golf community, specific topics is part of the continued joint effort of bunkers. Guidance was also provided to of further research will be identified to modernise the Rules by reducing administrators running competitions. and published. complexity and ensuring the Rules effectively guide how the sport is A video series featuring Grant Moir, This next stage of the process was played today. Director of Rules at The R&A, was delayed in March 2020 to allow the wider produced and published across the golf industry to focus on its response As part of a review process that began in organisation’s social media channels to the COVID-19 pandemic and its 2019, the governing bodies will seek the to provide a fun and entertaining take impact on golf worldwide. The release perspectives of golf’s stakeholders as an on learning the Rules of Golf during the of equipment research topics is now integral component of the review process, lockdown period in 2020. planned for the first quarter of 2021. including elite amateur golfers, golf event organisers, national golf federations, ‘Rules from the Garden’ was distributed to The 2019 Annual Driving Distance professional golf associations and other audiences via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter report, which examines driving distance industry partners. The aim is to provide and YouTube, while new episodes were on the major the golf community with a modernised filmed at the Old Course in St Andrews including the PGA TOUR, European Tour, set of Amateur Status Rules in late 2021, with Sky presenter Nick Dougherty , , PGA with the goal of them taking effect on and the Championship Course at TOUR Champions Tour, LPGA Tour and 1 January 2022. Carnoustie with George Harper Jnr once going back as lockdown measures had been relaxed. far as data are available, was published Providing education for golfers, officials last year. A comparison of these major and administrators around the world has The videos proved a hit with golfers professional tours, both men’s and continued to be a strong focus since the looking to brush up on their knowledge of women’s, indicates that the average introduction of the new Rules of Golf at the sport’s regulations. A number of Rules driving distance on both the men’s the beginning of 2019. In the year after situations were explained using props and and women’s tours has increased by the launch, The R&A conducted three objects from Grant’s collection to help approximately 2.6% from 2003 until the Level 3 Tournament Administrators and golfers understand how to apply the Rules end of the 2019 season. Referees Seminars in Asia and Europe, correctly in these circumstances. 12 The R&A Annual Review 13

Professional Championships

The 148th Open scored an average of 9.2 out of a Ten community initiatives in Portrush 2019 AIG Women’s British Open while it was announced that it will now as she claimed a magnificent first A new attendance record for a possible 10, demonstrating considerable shared in a £100,000 windfall from An increase to the prize fund for the AIG be known as the AIG Women’s Open as major title, holding off the challenge Championship outside of St Andrews was improvements on previous years. The Open Legacy Fund after being Women’s British Open was announced part of a new brand launch. from many notable names. set when 237,750 fans flocked to Royal successful in applying for grants ahead of the 2019 championship, Portrush to see Ireland’s Shane Lowry lift The Open generated more than £100 provided by The R&A. The funding was rising almost 40% to US $4.5 million in The AIG Women’s Open was able The 27-year-old, who came into the the famous Claret Jug after winning The million of economic benefit according distributed to groups that work in the recognition of the importance of the to go ahead without spectators at championship ranked 304th in the 148th Open. to an independent study commissioned areas of social cohesion, environmental championship and women’s golf. Royal Troon thanks to the vital work world and without a main tour victory, by The R&A and supported by Tourism issues and health and well-being. undertaken by The R&A with the UK secured the title after a stunning A key aim of The R&A is to attract a Northern Ireland and Causeway Coast The increase came in the first year and Scottish governments, its medical two-stroke success over the famous younger audience to the Championship and Glens Borough Council. A new custom-built player facility of AIG’s partnership as title sponsor advisors and local agencies in South Ayrshire to become the first and this attendance figure included was introduced for the first time at and offered a first prize of $675,000. It Ayrshire to create robust health and German women’s golfer to win a 30,000 fans under the age of 25, of which This benefit included a total economic The 148th Open, providing significant became the second highest prize fund safety protocols around staging major championship. 21,000 were children under the age of 16 impact of £45 million according to the improvements and enhancements to the of the five Major Championships in the the championship. who attended free of charge thanks to study by Sheffield Hallam University’s experience for the competing golfers and women’s game. The Senior Open presented by Rolex the long-running Kids Go Free initiative. Sport Industry Research Centre (SIRC). their guests. A player survey conducted The R&A also underlined its created history at The SIRC study concluded that the by The R&A showed that golfers rated The championship at Woburn was won commitment to enhancing the the Senior Open presented by Rolex The Open Camping Village continued Causeway Coast council area alone The Open as 9.7/10 as an experience, in fairy-tale fashion by Hinako Shibuno AIG Women’s Open’s status as a when he won the title for the fourth to prove a popular accommodation received a £26.2 million injection of new while the player facility was rated 4.7/5, who won her maiden major title in her leading major sporting event by time at Royal Lytham & St Annes. option for fans with more than 6,300 fans money from The Open. compared to 3.4/5 in 2018. first competitive tournament outside announcing five world-class venues The German pipped 2016 champion booking a place to stay at on site which of her native Japan. Around 65,000 for championships being played from by two strokes on the was an increase on the 4,000 spectators Northern Ireland also gained £37.3 The 149th Open fans attended throughout the week 2021 to 2025. Future championship north-west coast of England to lift his who stayed at Carnoustie in 2018. million in destination marketing The R&A cancelled The 149th Open due and nearly 1,500 broadcast hours were venues were announced as Carnoustie, 11th senior major. benefit from over 5,400 hours of global to be played at Royal St George’s from watched by 11.3 million TV viewers , Walton Heath, St Andrews A survey conducted with fans who television coverage. An additional 12-19 July 2020 as a result of the COVID- around the world. and Royal Porthcawl. The 2020 championship at attended The 148th Open produced very £23.7 million was identified by Tourism 19 pandemic and the Championship will Sunningdale was cancelled due to the positive results with improvements across Northern Ireland in Advertising now be played at the famous Kent links 2020 AIG Women’s Open It was the first women’s Major COVID-19 pandemic and will now be several elements of the Championship. Equivalent Value for Northern Ireland in 2021. It was the first time since the Title sponsor AIG reaffirmed its Championship to be played in 2020 and played there in 2021. It was announced The Net Promoter Score, an indicator Golf Tourism monitored in other media Second World War that golf’s original commitment to women’s golf was broadcast globally to more than that the 2022 championship will of customer satisfaction, was +82 and coverage across the island of Ireland Championship, first played in 1860, by extending its support of the 11 million fans, who were captivated by be played over the King’s Course the overall satisfaction of The Open and internationally. was cancelled. championship by two years to 2025, the feats of Germany’s Sophia Popov at Gleneagles. 14 The R&A Annual Review 15

Amateur Golf

The R&A makes a significant enjoyed watching home favourite Englishman Joe Long savoured success awarded an exemption into The Open. The World Amateur Golf Ranking® Cole Hammer of the United States of investment in the staging of world class James Sugrue defeat Euan Walker on home soil to win The 125th Amateur Abel Gallegos became Argentina’s first (WAGR®) is the definitive world ranking America were each awarded the medal amateur championships for men and in the Final. The Women’s Amateur Championship, while Germany’s Aline ever champion as he won by four strokes for elite amateur golfers around the for finishing as the number one amateur women and boys and girls each year Championship was played at iconic Krauter held her nerve to claim the biggest at Mayakoba’s El Camaleón world and is administered by The R&A golfers. Last year, Takumi Kanaya of to enable them to develop and excel Royal County Down and was won title of her career after winning the 117th in Mexico. and the USGA. In 2020, the men’s Japan and Rose Zhang of the United to their full capabilities. Enhancing the by Emily Toy. Over 170,000 views of Women’s Amateur Championship. ranking encompasses more than 2,800 States of America were each awarded profile of flagship amateur events is also supporting video content were achieved The second Women’s Amateur Asia- counting events, ranking 6,777 players the McCormack Medal for the men’s a key aim for the organisation. while social media coverage reached The organisation continues to stage Pacific was played at The Royal Golf from 106 countries, while the women’s and women’s ranking. over 400,000 users. elite amateur championships in regions Club in Japan in 2019 and was won by ranking has a calendar of around 2,000 Over 11,000 fans attended the 43rd around the world with its partners in golf home favourite Yuka Yasuda. Eighty counting events with more than 3,375 The World Ranking for Golfers with Walker Cup between Great Britain The 2020 season of championships and each year to help support the growth and players from 19 countries in the region ranked players from 78 countries. Disability promotes inclusivity within and Ireland and the United States international matches in Great Britain development of the sport globally. took place and the championship was the sport and is administered in tandem of America at Royal Liverpool in and Ireland was significantly impacted broadcast to millions of TV viewers in At the start of last year, a significant with WAGR®. There has been a sizeable September 2019, which was won 15½- by the COVID-19 pandemic with The The 2019 Asia-Pacific Amateur countries around the world. The 2020 enhancement to WAGR® was increase in the number of players 10½ by the USA. A comprehensive Amateur Championship going ahead Championship (AAC) was won by Lin championship was cancelled due to the introduced and applied to better reflect included in all three ranking categories digital content strategy to raise the at Royal Birkdale and the Women’s Yuxin at Sheshan International Golf COVID-19 pandemic. the current performance of golfers by since its introduction. profile of the match produced 1.3 million Amateur Championship being played at Club in Shanghai from a full field of placing greater importance on their video views, 6.5 million impressions, West Lancashire. 120 players from 41 Asia-Pacific nations The R&A supports initiatives to grow current form and results. The Power In 2019, the ranking included 854 players a reach of 2.8 million and 680,000 and was broadcast to viewers in more and develop women’s amateur golf Method will improve the algorithms from 32 countries who competed in engagements using website and social The two championships were able to than 160 countries worldwide. The 2020 around the world and has launched a used to determine and update the 43 ranking tournaments played in 18 media channels. go ahead in late August thanks to the championship was cancelled due to the new amateur event for women in Latin ranking providing a true indication of countries. In comparison, there were 594 health and safety protocols introduced COVID-19 pandemic. America in partnership with the ANNIKA their current form and results compared players who competed in 23 ranking In what was a significant year for by The R&A and its medical advisors Foundation. The Women’s Amateur Latin to other golfers. events in 2018. Gross Rankings featured championship in 2019, which ensured that the wellbeing of For the first time in the championship’s America championship will provide many 299 players (an increase of 52% from The Amateur Championship was held all competitors, officials and staff history, the winner of the 2020 Latin of the region’s most talented women The leading golfers in the World 2018), Nett Rankings featured 311 at Portmarnock where over 3,000 fans was protected. America Amateur Championship was golfers with opportunities to compete in Amateur Golf Ranking® each year players (an increase of 45% from 2018) a world class environment. The inaugural are awarded the Mark H McCormack and Rankings featured 244 championship will be played in 2021. Medal and in 2019, Andrea Lee and players (an increase of 34% from 2018). 16 The R&A Annual Review 17

Golf Development

The R&A works to enhance golf’s appeal women’s professional golf in Europe In the Asia-Pacific and Latin America globally, supporting its affiliated national and around the world, The R&A and regions, the organisation increased federations and other organisations the European Tour committed to help its support for affiliates following the by providing services, expertise a newly formed joint venture between pandemic outbreak with an expanded and resources appropriate to their the Ladies Professional Golf Association educational programme through a various needs. (LPGA) and the Ladies European series of online workshops, conferences Tour (LET). and seminars covering a range of The Women in Golf Charter, which topics relating to golf development. now has over 200 signatories around As well as providing financial support and the world, encourages more women to leveraging other assets they manage, A new Student Tour Series was seek opportunities and careers within the bodies will each have one seat on introduced by The R&A to provide the sport and in 2019, a new Women’s the new LPGA-LET Joint Venture Board leading student golfers outside Leadership Development programme of Directors. Building a strong and of the United States of America was launched by The R&A in support of sustainable Ladies European Tour is fully and Mexico with elite amateur this aim. consistent with the aims of the Women championships to enhance high in Golf Charter, including providing more performance competition. The Series The first two programmes were opportunities for women and girls to builds on the organisation’s support delivered in Great Britain and Ireland pursue their ambitions and to inspire for student golf and each year, and it is planned to expand into the future generations to take up the sport. The R&A invests around £500,000 other regions of the world in The R&A’s in student and university golf, jurisdiction. It is open to signatories The organisation is involved in raising including the Foundation Scholars of the Charter and will support the awareness of the health benefits of golf programme. In 2019, the organisation development and progression of women through the Golf and Health Project and supported golf programmes at 17 who have the potential to become last year, an international research study universities and awarded 170 individual future leaders within the golf industry. backed by The R&A found new evidence Foundation scholarships. to suggest golf can provide significant In October last year, golf venues across health benefits to older participants in Around 40,000 golfers in the UK, Great Britain and Ireland were invited the form of improved muscle strength Ireland and Australia entered nine-hole to participate in a ground-breaking and balance. qualifying events in a bid to secure campaign that will provide them with a place in the Final of The R&A 9 the knowledge and materials to recruit The Strength and Balance Study, carried Hole Challenge, which was played on and retain female golfers, helping to out with two sample groups over two the eve of The 148th Open at Royal safeguard the sport for the future. years by Professor Maria Stokes OBE Portrush. The initiative is central to the at the University of Southampton and organisation’s wider drive to promote Launched by The R&A in connection Dr George Salem at the University of shorter formats of the sport, either with the Women in Golf Charter, Southern California, has indicated that recreationally or competitively for #FOREeveryone is the start of a long- older golfers have and develop strength handicap purposes. term programme of support for the and balance benefits. industry and began with the distribution The 2019 Coronation was of a toolkit resource, designed to A new golf and health report was also entered by almost 22,000 female provide guidance on operational and published to help further educate existing golfers from over 1,100 clubs in 2019, marketing improvement to help attract golfers, non-golfers, golf bodies and continuing its status as the biggest more women and girls to the sport. policy makers in government and health domestic competition for women on the physical and mental benefits and girls. Local competitions were The campaign is supported by England of the sport. Highlighting The R&A’s organised by clubs across Great Golf, Golf Ireland, and work and the endeavours of others in Britain and Ireland to give golfers the , as well as The PGA and this sphere since 2016, the 28-page opportunity to reach the Area Finals, Golf Club Managers Association, and document provides a comprehensive before the top 16 teams booked their represents a cohesive drive by the overview of golf as a health-enhancing trip to St Andrews for the final. national federations to create a more activity for people of all ages, abilities inclusive culture, nurturing greater female and backgrounds. Through striking The inaugural R&A GolfSixes Challenge participation and encouraging more graphics, data and imagery, the report was played on the Marquess’ Course women into roles within the golf industry. details the benefits by summarising at Woburn ahead of the AIG Women’s the scientific research, the public British Open. Organised by The R&A As part of a drive to significantly exposure and increased interest among and , 48 players teed it up, grow playing opportunities, financial national federations, policy makers and forming eight teams and representing incentives and television exposure for other organisations. 22 golf facilities. 18 The R&A Annual Review 19

The R&A Foundation

The R&A Foundation provides grant funding to support their activities in golf. funding from the proceeds of The Open Many of these players are Champion to support the development of golf Golfers who receive funding to help around the world. These grants aim to grow areas of the sport in their countries advance participation in the sport by and localities. providing playing facilities and equipment and by funding golf events, coaching The organisation is a longstanding programmes and projects to promote the supporter of the Faldo Series, led by health benefits of golf. three-time Champion Golfer Sir , and to date over 40,000 golfers The Golf Foundation receives £500,000 aged 12-21 have participated in its events in funding each year to support its aim of around the world. A new £200,000 inspiring more young people to play golf funding agreement will support the and to increase the retention of juniors in expansion of the Faldo Series into existing the sport to boost membership. In 2019, and new territories, including developing its GolfSixes League, a shorter format of nations, to provide more opportunities for golf to attract new young players and young people to play golf. families, was played by around 2,700 boys and girls from 233 golf clubs in 52 junior Other golfers and organisations leagues, leading to a 35% increase in junior receiving support include the Paul membership in the UK and Ireland. It is Lawrie Foundation, which runs planned that the initiative will be expanded activities and competitions for junior each year to increase the number of golfers, ’s Handicamp leagues, clubs and golfers participating. initiative that provides golf activities for disabled golfers, and in South Africa, The R&A provides £115,000 to support the foundations of and Louis the China Golf Association-HSBC Junior Oosthuizen which support a variety of Golf Programme, ensuring that young projects in their native homeland. golfers can play in competitions across the entire country each year. Since its Funding is also provided to support the inception, tens of thousands of juniors of staging of events for elite amateur and all levels of ability have participated in the junior golfers in regions and countries programme with many of them going on around the world. Notable events that to play at the highest level of golf. were funded by The R&A in 2019 include the All Africa Junior Trophy, the South Substantial funds are also provided to the American Junior Championship, the South Ladies European Tour, the PGA of Great American Amateur Championships, the Britain and Ireland, and New World Junior Girls Championship and a Zealand Golf each year to cover a variety number of European championships for of activities across golf development, men, women, boys and girls. junior golf and women’s and girls’ golf. Several disability golf events were also The organisation awards development funded, including the European Team grants to national associations each year Championships for Golfers with Disability, to support their initiatives in countries the ISPS HANDA Vision Cup, the ISPS around the world. In total £1.7 million HANDA British Blind Open and the was awarded to 76 applicants to fund English Disability Open. projects across important areas of golf development including adult and junior The R&A also provides support to the participation, player development, ANNIKA Foundation, run by Annika high performance programmes, coach Sorenstam, to help organise several education and development, and events each year in Europe, Latin school golf. America, Australia and Asia. The foundation contributes to the growth of The R&A works with professional golfers women’s golf at the junior, collegiate and to support and further the aims of their professional levels, while teaching the charitable foundations by providing importance of health. 20 The R&A Annual Review 21

Sustainability

Sustainability in golf is an important A survey with fans who attended available to the golf industry following area of work for The R&A and it has The 148th Open showed that 70% of their conclusion. introduced new initiatives to support its attendees were aware of the initiative to aim of contributing to and promoting remove single use plastic water bottles A new partnership with the RSPB was environmental excellence and world from sale at the Championship. 93% of agreed at the start of 2020 to fund a new class leadership in resource efficiency, attendees considered themselves ‘very’ role at the UK’s largest wildlife charity conservation and social value. or ‘quite’ happy about it. which will address wildlife conservation and the management of natural habitats In 2019, The Open became one of the The R&A also provides the golf industry at golf courses throughout the country. first major global sporting events to with support and guidance on issues of completely remove the use of single- sustainability through its Marie Athorn, who has a PhD from the use plastic water bottles when The 2030 initiative. Golf Course 2030 was University of Nottingham on habitat Open Water Project was introduced at introduced in 2018 to address the creation and is an experienced consultant Royal Portrush. challenges posed by climate change, ecologist, was appointed to deliver resource constraints and regulation on services to golf clubs and facilities, In a move supported by the UN golf course conditioning and playability, advising them on the management of Environment’s Clean Seas campaign, while also providing best practice in wildlife species and development of best over 100,000 single-use plastic bottles sustainability to those working in golf practice in support of conservation aims. were removed from the venue and course management. replaced by a pioneering new approach The R&A continues to invest in its to providing fresh drinking water directly Over 2019 and 2020, around £344,000 Greenkeeping Scholarship Programme to fans, players, staff and officials using was awarded to seven organisations and now has nearly 400 scholars from water refilling stations and reusable to fund sustainability projects that will 37 countries around the world benefiting stainless steel bottles. develop proactive solutions that can from support for their learning and be shared with golf course managers, career development. The project was implemented in greenkeepers and organisations involved partnership with Bluewater and aimed in the maintenance and conditioning A further 31 students joined the to raise awareness of the issue of global of golf facilities around the world. This programme over the last year. The marine plastic pollution and the need funding will continue in 2021 and 2022. programme has now expanded to to protect the world’s oceans and include Australia thanks to a partnership coastlines, including the marine life that The organisations funded include with the Australian Sports Turf inhabits them. Environmental Protection Group, Managers Association (ASTMA) and six Royal HaskoningDHV, Siskin Asset students have been funded to attend More than 5,000 special edition reusable Management and Subsea Consulting Melbourne Polytechnic. BPA-free stainless steel Bluewater Services, SRUC, University of St Andrews, water bottles were given to fans free of STERF, STRI and University Centre The organisation bolstered its work in the charge during The Open who were also Myerscough and they will research areas Asia-Pacific region with the appointment able to bring their own refillable water on course condition and playability, of a new Head of Sustainability and bottles to use at the Championship. All resource use and management, coastal Agronomy to undertake number of golfers playing in The Open were given change and greenkeeper education. projects related to sustainability including a personalised Players’ Edition stainless a recycling study with Sentosa Golf Club steel Bluewater water bottle with their The results of each project will be looking at how both industrial and organic name laser-engraved on it. published in reports to be made waste can be re-used on a golf course. The R&A Annual Review 23

Europe Colombian Golf Federation Africa Albanian Golf Association Costa Rica Golf Association Algerian Golf Federation Andorra Golf Association Curacao Golf Association Botswana Golf Union National Golf Association of Armenia Dominican Republic Golf Association Cameroon Golf Federation Austrian Golf Association Ecuador Golf Federation Democratic Republic of Congo Azerbaijan Golf Federation El Salvador Golf Federation Golf Federation Belarusian Golf Association Falkland Islands Golf Association Egyptian Golf Federation Royal Belgian Golf Federation Guatemala National Golf Association Gabonese Golf Federation Bulgarian Golf Association Guyana Golf Union Gambia Golf Association Cyprus Golf Federation Golf Federation of Haiti Ghana Golf Association Czech Golf Federation Honduras Golf Federation Ivory Coast Golf Federation Jamaica Golf Association Kenya Golf Union England Golf Nicaraguan Golf Federation Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria Estonian Golf Association Panama Golf Association Liberia Golf Association Finnish Golf Union Paraguay Golf Association Libyan Golf Federation French Golf Federation Peruvian Golf Federation Madagascar Golf Association Georgian Golf Federation St Maarten Golf Association Golf Union of Malawi Affiliated Organisations German Golf Association (Kingdom of the ) Mauritius Golf Federation Hellenic Golf Federation (Greece) Trinidad & Tobago Golf Association Royal Moroccan Golf Federation Hungarian Golf Federation Uruguay Golf Association Namibia Golf Federation Golf Union of Iceland Venezuela Golf Federation Nigeria Golf Federation Golf Ireland Virgin Islands Golf Federation Seychelles Golf Federation Israel Golf Federation Senegalese Golf Federation Italian Golf Federation Asia Sierra Leone Golf Federation The R&A, through R&A Rules Ltd, Latvian Golf Federation Afghanistan Golf Federation South African Golf Association Liechtenstein Golf Federation Bahrain Golf Association Swaziland Golf Union governs the sport worldwide, outside Lithuanian Golf Federation Bangladesh Golf Federation Tanzania Golf Union Luxembourg Golf Federation Royal Bhutan Golf Federation Tunisian Golf Federation Macedonian Golf Federation Cambodian Golf Federation Uganda Golf Union of the United States and Mexico, on Malta Golf Association China Golf Association Zambia Golf Union Netherlands Golf Federation Chinese Taipei Golf Association Zimbabwe Golf Association behalf of over 36 million golfers in Norwegian Golf Federation Emirates Golf Federation Hong Kong Golf Association Oceania Portuguese Golf Federation 144 countries and with the consent Romanian Golf Federation Indonesian Golf Association Cook Islands Golf Federation Russian Golf Association Islamic Republic of Iran Golf Federation Golf Fiji of 158 organisations from amateur Scottish Golf New Zealand Golf Incorporated Golf Association of Serbia Jordan Golf Committee Papua New Guinea Golf Association Slovak Golf Association Kazakhstan Golf Federation Samoa Golf Incorporated and professional golf. Golf Association of Slovenia Korea Golf Association Vanuatu Golf Association Royal Spanish Golf Federation Golf Federation of Kyrgyzstan Lao National Golf Federation Transnational Affiliated Organisations Swiss Golf Association Lebanese Golf Federation Africa Golf Confederation Turkish Golf Federation Malaysian Golf Association Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation Ukrainian Golf Federation Mongolian Golf Association Wales Golf Myanmar Golf Federation Caribbean Golf Association Nepal Golf Association Confederation of Professional Golf The Americas Oman Golf Committee Council of National Golf Unions Argentine Golf Association EDGA Bahamas Golf Federation National Golf Association of European Golf Association Barbados Golf Association the Philippines Ladies European Tour Belize Amateur Golf Association Qatar Golf Association Oceania Golf Union Bermuda Golf Association Saudi Arabian Golf Federation PGA European Tour Bolivian Golf Federation Singapore Golf Association Professional Golfers’ Association Brazilian Golf Confederation Sri Lanka Golf Union South American Golf Federation Golf Canada Thailand Golf Association Cayman Islands Golf Association Vietnam Golf Association Chilean Golf Federation 24

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