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Home , Georgia Hall, Karen Stupples, Pakistan Golf Federation

Annual Review. 2018/19 The R&A Annual Review 1

Foreword

Welcome to the 2018/19 review of The R&A’s activities; last year was a significant and successful one for our organisation.

The year 2018 marked an important by the achievements of Francesco golf’s appeal globally and take the milestone for The R&A as we launched Molinari and in winning sport forward. our new brand identity and set out The Open and the Ricoh Women’s our vision for our work across the key British Open respectively. In June, we had some sad news with areas of governance, championships, the loss of Peter Thomson, who, development and sustainability. Both players created history by winning with five victories, was one of the their first major championships; truly great Champion Golfers. We want to ensure that golf continues Francesco became the first Italian The R&A was represented at his to thrive 50 years from now and will Campione Golfista dell’Anno, while memorial service in Sydney as the be enjoyed by many generations to Georgia is the first golfer to add world of golf celebrated his life and come. We have therefore developed a the Women’s British Open to earlier many wonderful achievements. He range of initiatives to help modernise successes in the Women’s Amateur will be greatly missed by all who the sport and make it not only more and Girls Amateur championships and admired both the quality of his play accessible and appealing but also play in the for Great Britain and his sportsmanship. more inclusive for today’s society. and Ireland. We really hope that their victories will inspire millions of young This is the first year of my tenure The introduction of the new Rules of golfers around the world. as Chairman of The R&A and I look Golf and the launch of the Women in forward to serving and representing Golf Charter are just two examples The commercial success of The Open our organisation as we work with our of this. Both initiatives will act as enables us to invest proceeds from partners in golf around the world in important drivers for the growth and the Championship into the growth what is an exciting time for the sport. Contents . improvement of the sport around the and development of the sport around world by providing more opportunities the world. In 2018, over 80 countries and making it easier for people to take received direct funding from The R&A Chief Executive’s Review . . . . 2 up and enjoy golf as a healthy and and indirect contributions were made fulfilling pursuit. to 20 others. We will continue to use Our Purpose ...... 4 these funds wisely in working with Governance ...... 6 In our professional championships, our affiliated national associations Ian Pattinson golf fans worldwide were captivated and other stakeholders to enhance Chairman, The R&A The Open ...... 8 Commercial ...... 10 Amateur Golf ...... 12 Relationships ...... 14 Development ...... 16 Sustainability ...... 18 The R&A Foundation ...... 20 Affiliates ...... 22 Our world of golf ...... 24 2 The R&A Annual Review 3

Chief Executive’s Review

A new chapter in the long history of is staged and we were delighted that The R&A began last September as we The 147th Open delivered £120 million set out our vision as a global leader in of economic benefit to Scotland. We golf, working collaboratively to ensure also invested more than £100,000 in the long-term success of the sport. legacy projects which will positively enhance the local communities in and Our new brand identity was unveiled around Carnoustie. together with a Playbook which outlines our vision, purpose and values. The new Georgia Hall created history on her brand brings together everything we have way to winning the Ricoh Women’s done over the last three years to modernise British Open for the first time in the sport and drive golf forward. front of a delighted home crowd at Royal Lytham & St Annes. We have listened to our key stakeholders during this time and the message was We are delighted that Georgia has clear: The R&A has a global role to play agreed to support The R&A’s drive to in leading the sport forward while inspire more women, girls and families working with our partners and affiliates into playing golf by becoming an around the world to grow and nurture ambassador. She will play a key role golf to ensure that it continues to thrive in raising the profile of women’s and 50 years from now. girls’ golf in support of the Women in Golf Charter. Realising this vision will require the organisation to become financially In the financial year to 31 December stronger and we aim to invest £200 2018, we reported an operating million over the next ten years to grow profit of £12.1m (2017, £12.4m). This and develop golf around the world. profit is stated after covering our Golf Development commitments The modernised Rules of Golf came into of £6.2m (2017, £5.9m), our global effect for all golfers on 1 January 2019, governance commitments of £5.3m marking the biggest set of changes to (2017, £5.9m), as well as the costs of the Rules in a generation. The revised supporting amateur championships Rules are more in tune with the way the and other initiatives of £4.2m (2017, modern sport is played. We hope that £3.8m). Based on our latest forecasts all golfers around the world enjoy the we remain on track to deliver on our new Rules and the key changes aimed at aim of investing £200m into the sport improving pace of play. over the ten years from 2017 to 2026.

The Modified Rules of Golf for Players This has been an exciting and with Disabilities also supports our aim historic year for the organisation of ensuring that golf is an inclusive sport and I would like to thank everyone Martin Slumbers visited Mission Hills in China to launch The and welcoming to golfers of all abilities. who has contributed to a successful R&A’s funding of a new golf scholarship programme. See p.17 The World Ranking for Golfers with twelve months as well as those who Disability launched at the start of 2019 give up their time to support the will also help to grow participation and We continue to conduct this process of women and girls playing golf and Research has shown that golf It was another record-breaking year for growth and development of golf competition in this area. openly, comprehensively and promptly to encourage more opportunities can provide significant physical The Open as we welcomed 172,000 fans around the world in so many different and will work with key stakeholders for women to work within the and mental benefits and we were to Carnoustie, surpassing the previous ways. Their continuing passion and Together with the USGA we have to ensure we have a fully rounded golf industry. delighted to present the 2018 best attendance at the venue set in commitment are vital to the future launched a comprehensive project to view of distance and its implications. International Consensus Statement 1999. We were privileged to watch history of the sport.. analyse distance in golf and gather Our primary objective in this review We are asking the golf industry to take on Golf and Health at the 7th being made as Francesco Molinari perspectives from the worldwide golf is to ensure an appropriate balance measures to achieve positive change Congress of the International Society became the first Italian ever to win The community. Distance in golf is a complex between skill and technology. for women, girls and families and for Physical Activity and Health Open and be crowned Champion Golfer issue and the Distance Insights project capitalise on this major opportunity (ISPAH) in London. The Statement will of the Year. aims to collate and examine all the The launch of the first ever Women in for the sport. We will be increasing guide actions to be taken by people, relevant data as well as capture the Golf Charter in May last year signalled our investment in women’s, girls’ and policymakers and the golf industry The Open has a proven track record many different perspectives that exist our intent to galvanise the golf mixed golf to £80m over the next ten and was published in the British of generating substantial economic Martin Slumbers around the world. industry around increasing the number years to help realise this vision. Journal of Sports Medicine. benefit for the host country in which it Chief Executive, The R&A 4 The R&A Annual Review 5

Our Purpose

In 2018, The R&A unveiled a new ● Commercial: brand identity and a Playbook Deliver world class championships outlining its vision, purpose and while growing revenue and maximising values. The new brand was the profit for reinvestment in the sport. culmination of The R&A’s work over the last three years to modernise ● Amateur Golf: golf and change perceptions of Preserve amateur golf and develop the sport. a robust environment for elite amateur golf including world class The R&A’s vision is to lead by championships and strong links example as a global organisation, to education. working collaboratively with its partners in the sport, ● Relationships: that is renowned for its Establish deep, connected and valued governance work and staging relationships with our home affiliates, of world class professional and the USGA, professional tours and amateur championships. major golf nations.

The Playbook also sets out our ● Development: purpose: to make golf more Enhance golf’s appeal globally, working accessible, more appealing and with our affiliates by providing services, more inclusive so that it is thriving expertise and resources appropriate to 50 years from now and to be their various needs. responsible for upholding the traditions of golf while embracing ● Sustainability: change and breaking down barriers Through fact-based evidence, to progress. contribute and promote environmental excellence and world class leadership Our core values are: courage to act in resource efficiency, conservation in the best interests of the sport; and social value. integrity in acting fairly and equally; and inclusivity in growing the sport The organisation is also working to through achieving greater diversity. become financially stronger and is aiming to invest £200 million in Evolving from the previous R&A developing golf over the next decade, mark, the new brand identity including £80 million into women’s and retains the R&A blue but utilises mixed golf, £55 million into governance a secondary colour palette to activities and £30 million into staging represent its strategic priorities in world class amateur events. This is governance, The Open, commercial, double the investment made in the amateur golf, relationships, period from 2007-2016. development and sustainability. More information about The R&A’s ● Governance: Playbook is available for download via Develop a comprehensive, modern www.RandA.org/Playbook and inclusive approach to writing and interpreting the Rules of the sport and so ensure their relevance to all golfers.

● The Open: Further establish The Open as a pre-eminent sporting event that provides a world class experience for players, fans, media and commercial partners.

6 The R&A Annual Review 7

Governance

The new Rules of Golf came into effect A review of the Rules of Amateur Status for all golfers worldwide on 1 January was not part of the modernisation 2019 – the culmination of a seven-year process but a fundamental review long modernisation process undertaken of this set of Rules is now being by The R&A and the USGA to ensure undertaken, with a provisional that the Rules are easier to understand completion date of 1 January 2022. and apply for all golfers. Following the publication of the While the Rules have been revised annual Distance Report last every four years in recent history, this is year, a comprehensive project to the first fundamental review since 1984 analyse distance in golf and gather and it was established to ensure the perspectives from the worldwide golf Rules of Golf fit the needs of today’s community was launched by The R&A game and the way it is played around and the USGA as part of the governing the world. bodies’ efforts to ensure long-term sustainability of the sport. For the first time ever, a new Player’s Edition of the Rules of Golf has been The Distance Insights project will introduced to provide a shorter, more examine distance through a multi- user-friendly version of the Rules for pronged approach that includes global golfers at all levels of the sport. The stakeholder engagement, third-party new book has been translated into data review, and research. Through more than 30 languages worldwide primary and third-party research, a and over four million copies are being detailed research and data review and distributed worldwide in addition the collection of views from throughout to being available on digital and the golf industry, the aim is to achieve mobile platforms. better understanding of the contributors to and impacts of distance on golf. The Modified Rules of Golf for Players with Disabilities was also released and In September, a global online enables players with disabilities to questionnaire and data-gathering play fairly with other players with the exercise on distance in golf was same or different types of disability issued in ten languages to golfers and and, importantly, with those without stakeholder groups in which they were disabilities. The Modified Rules were asked a series of universal questions developed in close consultation about distance in golf. The findings of with the community of players with the global perspectives research are disabilities and disability organisations. expected to be a vital component of the full Distance Insights report, scheduled The R&A and the USGA published the to be released in 2019. finalised interpretation regarding the use of green-reading materials in golf The R&A and the USGA are currently which came into effect on 1 January working towards the implementation of 2019. The new interpretation of Rule the World Handicap System, targeted 4.3 (Use of Equipment) was introduced for 2020. The technical specification following a six-week feedback period. for the system has been finalised, It reaffirms the governing bodies’ while the Rules of Handicapping view that the ability of golfers to read are nearing their final draft form. greens using their own judgement The two organisations will enter an is an essential skill that should be intensive period of communication and maintained, while defining how such education about the World Handicap materials may be used. System during 2019. 8 The R&A Annual Review 9

The Open and Ricoh Women’s British Open

Francesco Molinari became the first under The Open’s longstanding Kids go Angus area alone received a £21 million Italian to lift the famous Claret Jug Free initiative. injection of new money from The Open. after holding off the challenge from a resurgent Tiger Woods and the More than 4,000 spectators also took ’s Georgia Hall created history likes of Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose and advantage of free accommodation for when she clinched the Ricoh Women’s Xander Schauffele during an enthralling young people and a low-cost rate for British Open at Royal Lytham & St final round to win The 147th Open by adults at The Open Camping Village, Annes. She became the first golfer two shots. with Friday and Saturday night full to win the Women’s British Open, the to capacity. Women’s Amateur Championship and Sam Locke of Scotland followed in the Girls Amateur Championship. the footsteps of Woods and McIlroy The Open generated £120 million to win the Silver Medal as the leading in benefit to Scotland according to The 22-year-old carded a final round 67 amateur who played all four rounds of an independent study carried out by to win her maiden major championship The Open. Sheffield Hallam University’s Sport by two strokes ahead of Thailand’s Industry Research Centre. to become only the A record-breaking crowd of 172,000 third British player after attended The Open at Carnoustie, The Championship delivered an and to win the surpassing the 157,000 total set at the economic impact of £69 million and Women’s British Open since it became a famous Angus links in 1999 and setting £51 million in destination marketing major in 2001. a new venue attendance record. activity for Scotland thanks to The Open being broadcast on television to Atthaya Thitikul, who earned a place A key aim of The R&A is to attract a more than 600 million households in in the Women’s British Open after younger audience to the Championship 193 countries worldwide. winning the inaugural Women’s and more than 20,000 spectators under Amateur Asia-Pacific Championship in the age of 25 attended the event at The study – which was commissioned February last year, claimed the Smyth the renowned Scottish venue including by The R&A, VisitScotland and Angus Salver as the leading amateur who Under-16’s who gained free admission Council – also concluded that the played all four rounds. 10 The R&A Annual Review 11

Commercial

The R&A’s commercial activities British Open beginning in 2019. The increase revenues and maximise profits championship will be known as the to enable the organisation to make a AIG Women’s British Open and is the greater investment in the growth and organisation’s first title sponsorship in development of golf around the world. professional golf. Much of this ambition is tied to the successful delivery of the organisation’s After 12 very successful years as the professional championships, including title sponsor, RICOH will continue The Open and the Women’s British Open. to support the Women’s British Open as an official supplier for the For the first time in the history of championship. The Open, an all-ticket model was implemented ahead of expected high Five-time Champion Golfer of the demand for tickets among golf fans Year Tom Watson was appointed as to attend The 148th Open at Royal the first ever Global ambassador for Portrush in July 2019, the first time the The Open, a role which will see him Championship has visited the iconic promoting golf’s most international Dunluce links since 1951. major championship around the world. In his role as ambassador for The Open, Unprecedented demand for tickets led Watson will take part in a range of to all four Championship days being promotional and media activities on completely sold out in a record-breaking behalf of the Championship. matter of weeks, while Hospitality offerings proved to be very popular with Golf fans were given a unique fans and several packages selling out opportunity to support the growth very quickly. and development of the sport around the world following the launch of a Additional tickets for Championship Days series of exclusive Champion Golfer went on sale in April after extending memorabilia collections. the capacity at Royal Portrush and they sold out within 72 hours of being made The Open Auction website, a first for available to members of The One Club. the UK Golf Market, featured limited edition memorabilia from golf’s original A five-year agreement was reached championship and enabled fans to with leading global insurance provider submit bids online for items which AIG (American International Group) to have been specially created for the become the title sponsor of the Women’s auction website. 12 The R&A Annual Review 13

Amateur Golf

In 2018, The R&A introduced an exciting the final. Harm earned a spot in the counterparts with a win by the same new open championship for girls as Women’s British Open at Royal Lytham score in the Jacques Leglise Trophy at part of its drive to increase the number & St Annes. Kytäjä Golf, also in Finland. of girls playing golf and to provide more competitive opportunities for talented At Ardglass in Northern Ireland, There were also wins for England young golfers. Emma Spitz also achieved history in both the Boys and Girls Home as the first Austrian to win the Girls Internationals, while Scotland won the The Girls Under-16 Open Championship Amateur Championship, seeing off Ladies title for the first time since 2010 was played at Fulford in April and was countrywoman Isabella Holpfer, after a thrilling finale at Ballybunion. won by Hannah Darling after the young while further north at Royal Portrush, Ireland retained the Ladies Senior Scot holed a closing 40-foot birdie putt England’s Conor Gough defeated Jose Home Internationals. to seal a dramatic victory in Yorkshire. Luis Ballester of Spain to capture the Boys Amateur Championship. Trevor Foster lifted the Seniors Amateur Jovan Rebula won The 123rd Amateur Championship at Royal Porthcawl, Championship after a 3&2 success The United States of America regained leading from start to finish to win by in the Final at Royal Aberdeen. The the Curtis Cup at Quaker Ridge after a nine shots, while Ireland’s Laura Webb 20-year-old from South Africa, nephew record-breaking 17-3 victory over Great won by the same margin as she eased of Ernie Els, defeated Ireland’s Robin Britain and Ireland in New York. The to victory in the Ladies Senior Amateur Dawson to win the title and seal his home side, which featured six of the top Championship at Crail. place in The 147th Open at Carnoustie 10 players in the World Amateur Golf and the 2019 US Open at Pebble Ranking™, claimed all eight of Sunday’s Beach. He also received an invitation to singles matches to clinch the match by the Masters Tournament. the largest winning margin in its history.

Leonie Harm became the first The St Andrews Trophy match was German to lift the Ladies Amateur won by the Continent of Europe after Championship title in its 115-year a record 15½-9½ victory at Linna Golf history, triumphing at Hillside by in Finland, but GB&I took the spoils defeating the USA’s Stephanie Lau in against their continental European 14 The R&A Annual Review 15

Relationships

The R&A is continuing to work with (LAAC) was established to grow Kupcho, Kristen Gillman and Lilia its affiliated national associations, and develop golf in South America, Vu of the United States of American the USGA, the professional tours and Central America, Mexico and combined to win the Espirito Santo other golfing bodies to establish and the Caribbean. Trophy by ten shots. maintain valued relationships for the benefit of golf worldwide. Two-time runner-up and one-time The World Amateur Golf Ranking joint third-place finisher Alvaro (WAGR™) is jointly administered The Asia-Pacific Amateur Ortiz clinched the 2019 LAAC after by The R&A and the USGA. It is Championship (AAC) reached a new a keenly contested duel with Luis the established benchmark for milestone when the tenth staging of Gagne of Costa Rica at the renowned elite amateur golfers to measure the region’s flagship amateur event was Teeth of the Dog course at Casa de their performance against that of played over the New Tanjong Course at Campo. The Mexican finally secured their peers. Sentosa in Singapore. his dream victory with a 14-under- total of 274, two shots clear WAGR™, which is supported by Rolex, Run by The R&A, the Masters of Gagne. continues to grow each year and Tournament and the Asia-Pacific Golf currently encompasses more than Confederation, the AAC continues Teenage Thai star Atthaya Thitikul 2,860 counting events, ranking 6,260 to drive the growth and development of emerged from a four-way play-off to players from 106 countries in the men’s amateur golf in the region and the event secure a dramatic wire-to-wire victory ranking while the women’s ranking attracted 120 golfers from 40 APGC at the inaugural Women’s Amateur has a calendar of more than 1,650 member associations last year. Asia-Pacific Championship, organised counting events with more than 2,960 by The R&A and the Asia-Pacific Golf ranked players from 84 countries. Japan’s Takumi Kanaya followed in the Confederation. footsteps of his renowned countryman Each year the leading golfer of each Hideki Matsuyama when he shot a five- At Sentosa Golf Club, Thitikul ranking is awarded the McCormack under-par 65 in the final round to finish carded a closing 71 to join Japan’s Medal, named after IMG founder two strokes ahead of India’s Rayhan Yuna Nishimura (69), the Philippines’ Mark H McCormack. In 2018, Braden Thomas and 2018 Asian Games gold Yuka Saso (68) and New Zealand’s Thornberry and Jennifer Kupcho of the medallist Keita Nakajima. Wenyung Keh (67) on eight-under-par United States of America led the men’s total of 276 over the New Tanjong and women’s ranking. The 20-year-old earned a place in course. The 148th Open at Royal Portrush Beginning in 2019, The R&A and and an invitation to the 2019 Masters The World Amateur Golf Team the USGA assumed administration Tournament. As runners-up, both Championships, which are of a global ranking for golfers with Thomas and Nakajima will get the organised by the International Golf disabilities to help grow participation opportunity to play in The Open Federation (IGF) with The R&A and and competition around the world and Qualifying Series. the USGA, took place at Carton to promote inclusivity within the sport. House in Ireland. The Eisenhower The World Ranking for Golfers with Founded by The R&A, the Masters Trophy was won by the Norwegian Disability was launched on 1 January Tournament and the USGA, the Latin team of John Axelsen, Nicolai Højgård and is administered in tandem with America Amateur Championship and Rasmus Højgård, while Jennifer WAGR™ for both men and women.

Counting mens’s events Counting womens’s events ranking 6,260 players ranking more than 2,960 players from 106 countries from 84 countries 16 The R&A Annual Review 17

Development

The R&A works to enhance golf’s Findings revealed that playing golf is appeal globally, supporting its affiliates associated with a range of physical by providing services, expertise and mental health benefits, and a and resources appropriate to their global consensus amongst leaders in various needs. public health, public policy and sport backed golf in the race to tackle Last year, The R&A unveiled a new physical inactivity and the prevention Women in Golf Charter as part of of a range of non-communicable the organisation’s drive to increase diseases (NCD). the number of women and girls participating in golf and to encourage Marking the close of the ISPAH more opportunities for women to work Congress, public health practitioners, within golf. policymakers and golf industry leaders were hosted at a satellite Chief Executive Martin Slumbers outlined event in the Palace of Westminster the organisation’s plans to work in by the All-Party Parliamentary Group collaboration with its affiliates, partners for Golf. and the wider golf industry to achieve these goals at a launch event at The The R&A announced that it will View from The Shard, one of London’s provide funding towards a new golf most iconic venues. scholarship programme being set up by the Mission Hills Group in China, The Women in Golf Charter aims to which is the world’s largest golf facility. inspire an industry-wide commitment to developing a more inclusive culture within The scholarships will support talented golf around the world and to enable more young Chinese golfers by providing women and girls to flourish and maximise financial grants towards their golf their potential at all levels of the sport. training and competition. The announcement took place following a Adoption of the Charter requires national keynote address by Martin Slumbers federations and other golf bodies to build to more than 200 delegates at Sports on current initiatives and develop new Connects, the China Sports Forum. projects focused on encouraging more women and girls to play golf and stay The R&A 9 Hole Challenge Final was within the sport as members of clubs, staged on the eve of The 147th Open while also empowering women to enjoy at Carnoustie when a group of 42 successful careers working within the amateur men and women golfers golf industry. played the first four and last five holes of the famous Championship Commissioned by the World Golf Course. Christopher Cudahy and Foundation and supported by The Andrew Sabin of Tadmarton Heath in R&A, the 2018 International Consensus Oxfordshire were victorious. Statement on Golf and Health aimed at promoting positive actions by people, Over 15,000 golfers entered nine policymakers and the golf industry hole qualifying events held at clubs was published in the British Journal of throughout Great Britain and Ireland, Sports Medicine. more than double the number who played in 2017. In Scotland, the The research was presented at the 7th national nine hole final hosted by Congress of the International Society Milnathort spanned two days due to for Physical Activity and Health (ISPAH) the high volume of entries. in London, a biennial scientific meeting that is widely regarded as the world’s The nine hole initiative forms part of flagship physical activity and public The R&A’s drive to promote shorter health event and is attended this year formats of the sport as a quick and by more than 1,000 delegates from enjoyable way to enjoy golf either 60 countries. recreationally or competitively. 18 The R&A Annual Review

Community projects in Carnoustie received support from The Open Legacy Fund

Sustainability

Sustainability is a priority area for challenges to course conditioning of the Championship, via Angus Council, The R&A awarded its first Greenkeeping 2004 to assist greenkeepers studying of Sustainability at The R&A; The R&A and its goal is to contribute and playability presented by climate to select recipients which will help to Scholarship in Northern Ireland as higher level greenkeeping and Jim Croxton, Chief Executive of and promote environmental excellence change, reduced resource availability enhance social and environmental The College of Agriculture, Food & sportsturf qualifications. the British and International Golf and world class leadership in resource and increased legislative regulation. value within communities. Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) became the Greenkeepers Association; Jonathan efficiency, conservation and social value. The initiative is being piloted in Great newest addition to the approved higher In July, the All-Party Parliamentary Smith, Executive Director of the Golf Britain and Ireland with plans to expand GreenLinks is The Open’s sustainability education institutions participating in Group for Golf hosted a panel discussion Environment Organisation; and Bob The organisation has introduced Golf to Europe and further afield in the programme and is designed to ensure the programme, joining SRUC Elmwood on golf and the environment in the Taylor, Head of Ecology and Environment Course 2030 to raise awareness of the coming years. that it remains at the forefront of College in Scotland and Myerscough Palace of Westminster. MPs and Peers at the Sports Turf Research Institute. sustainability issues, challenges and major sporting events in managing College in England. were joined by associate members opportunities facing the sport and to reach Local community initiatives and its impact on the environment and and an expert panel in Parliament The All-Party Parliamentary Golf agreement with golf industry stakeholders projects in and around Carnoustie the local community. In 2018, the Callum Burnside from Carrickfergus to discuss issues such as climate Group will look to further promote the on a road map that secures optimal golf were given the opportunity to apply organisation removed the provision of became the first student from CAFRE change, water and energy use and positive contribution that golf makes course condition and playability for current for legacy funding following the single use plastic straws from all on-site to be awarded an R&A Greenkeeping conservation, ecological protection and to the environment, and the efforts and future generations. successful staging of The 147th Open catering and hospitality as part of its Scholarship and joins over 320 preventing pollution. that a range of golf organisations at the famous Angus links. The R&A continuous improvement programme of scholars across 30 different countries. are making to ensure the industry is Action plans will be developed to address provided £100,000 from the proceeds environmental measures. The programme was established in The panel included Steve Isaac, Director environmentally sustainable.

20 The R&A Annual Review 21

The R&A Foundation

The R&A Foundation provides grant to acquire and preserve records and initiatives, which take adapted versions It will also continue to support The The R&A’s funding has been used to funding from the proceeds of The artefacts relating to the history of golf. of the sport to young people at schools, R&A SwingZone at The Open and support the expansion of the ANNIKA Open to support the development of sports centres, parks and multi- actively promote R&A initiatives Invitational series of junior golf events, golf around the world. These grants The R&A has committed to invest use games facilities in Great Britain across the Rules of Golf, Pace of including those in Latin America, Europe aim to advance participation in the more than £2 million in the Golf and Ireland. Play and shorter forms of the game, and Australasia, and to encourage the sport by providing playing facilities and Foundation over the next four years to including The R&A 9 Hole Challenge. development of golf in these regions. equipment and by funding golf events, support its drive to inspire more young Around 180,000 junior participants will The inaugural event in Australasia coaching programmes and projects to people to play golf and to increase the also be introduced to coaching through The R&A increased its support for was held at Royal Wellington in New promote the health benefits of golf. retention of juniors within the sport to the Golf Foundation’s HBSC Golf Roots the (LET) to Zealand in December 2018 and won by boost membership. Centres, a large network of junior friendly £100,000 to help further its aims Australia’s Grace Kim, who set a new The R&A Foundation also aims to golf clubs that provide taster sessions in in the women’s professional game. course record 62. encourage education through the The Golf Foundation will give over two local schools and coaching delivered by £40,000 will also be provided provision of scholarships to allow million young people the opportunity PGA Professionals. to the LET Access Series, which The R&A has also invested £225,000 over recipients to attend college and to try golf for the first time using its supports the transition of golfers three years to support the continuing university, as well as providing grants Tri-Golf and Street Golf participation The R&A continues to support the into the professional ranks from the growth of ’s Future Links work of the PGA with a £200,000 grant amateur game. junior golf initiative. Future Links provides awarded annually to the association to children aged 6-18 with the chance to fund initiatives aimed at growing and Around £80,000 per year is provided enjoy and learn golf via affordable and developing the sport. to the ANNIKA Foundation, which accessible programmes that are aligned was set-up and is run by ten-time to and support the principles of golf’s The PGA is aiming to increase the major champion Annika Sorenstam, long-term player development guide. number of women entering its training to help fund several initiatives aimed More than one million junior golfers have programme and working in coaching at encouraging more women and girls successfully participated in Future Links roles in golf, including those attending into golf. since its inception in 1996. The Open and Women’s British Open to assist with activities provided for fans. 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 Royal Belgian Golf Federation Falkland Islands Golf Association Egyptian Golf Federation Bulgarian Golf Association Guatemala National Golf Association Gabonese Golf Federation Cyprus Golf Federation Guyana Golf Union Gambia Golf Association Czech Golf Federation Golf Federation of Haiti Ghana Golf Association Honduras Golf Federation Ivory Coast Golf Federation Jamaica Golf Association Kenya Golf Union Estonian Golf Association Nicaraguan Golf Federation Liberia Golf Association Finnish Golf Union Panama Golf Association Libyan Golf Federation French Golf Federation Paraguay Golf Association Madagascar Golf Association Georgian Golf Federation Peruvian Golf Federation Golf Union of Malawi German Golf Association Puerto Rico Golf Federation Mauritius Golf Federation Affiliated Organisations Hellenic Golf Federation (Greece) St Maarten Golf Association Royal Moroccan Golf Federation Hungarian Golf Federation (Kingdom of the Netherlands) Namibia Golf Federation Golf Union of Iceland Trinidad & Tobago Golf Association Nigeria Golf Federation Uruguay Golf Association Seychelles Golf Federation Irish Ladies Golf Union Venezuela Golf Federation Senegalese Golf Federation Israel Golf Federation Virgin Islands Golf Federation Sierra Leone Golf Federation Italian Golf Federation South African Golf Association The R&A, through R&A Rules Ltd, Latvian Golf Federation Asia Swaziland Golf Union Liechtenstein Golf Federation Afghanistan Golf Federation Tanzania Golf Union governs the sport worldwide, outside Lithuanian Golf Federation Bahrain Golf Association Tunisian Golf Federation Luxembourg Golf Federation Bangladesh Golf Federation Uganda Golf Union Macedonian Golf Federation Royal Bhutan Golf Federation Zambia Golf Union of the United States and Mexico, on Malta Golf Association Cambodian Golf Federation Zimbabwe Golf Association Netherlands Golf Federation China Golf Association behalf of over 36 million golfers in Norwegian Golf Federation Chinese Taipei Golf Association Oceania Emirates Golf Federation Portuguese Golf Federation Hong Kong Golf Association Cook Islands Golf Federation 143 countries and with the consent Romanian Golf Federation Golf Fiji Russian Golf Association Indonesian Golf Association New Zealand Golf Incorporated of 157 organisations from amateur Islamic Republic of Iran Golf Federation Papua New Guinea Golf Association Golf Association of Serbia Samoa Golf Incorporated Slovak Golf Association Jordan Golf Committee Vanuatu Golf Association and professional golf. Golf Association of Slovenia Kazakhstan Golf Federation Royal Spanish Golf Federation Korea Golf Association Transnational Affiliated Organisations Golf Federation of Kyrgyzstan Africa Golf Confederation Swiss Golf Association Lao National Golf Federation Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation Turkish Golf Federation Lebanese Golf Federation Asian Tour Ukrainian Golf Federation Malaysian Golf Association Caribbean Golf Association Mongolian Golf Association Council of National Golf Unions Myanmar Golf Federation European Golf Association The Americas Nepal Golf Association Ladies European Tour Argentine Golf Association Oman Golf Committee Oceania Golf Union Bahamas Golf Federation Pakistan Golf Federation PGA European Tour Barbados Golf Association National Golf Association of Professional Golfers’ Association Belize Amateur Golf Association the Philippines PGAs of Europe Bermuda Golf Association Qatar Golf Association South American Golf Federation Bolivian Golf Federation Saudi Arabian Golf Federation Brazilian Golf Confederation Singapore Golf Association Golf Canada Sri Lanka Golf Union Cayman Islands Golf Association Thailand Golf Association Chilean Golf Federation Vietnam Golf Association 24

Our world of golf

Countries Championships

Affiliate Organisations Royal & Ancient Golf Club Million Golfers Members Worldwide

Players in the Employees World Amateur Golf Ranking™

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