Grow Golf Projects
In 2008 the Grow Golf Trustees awarded their first grant of £30,000 to the Golf Foundation's 'Golf Roots' initiative. This is a dynamic campaign aimed at bringing golf to inner city children and is also supported by BBC presenter, DJ Spoony, the PGA European Tour and the England Golf Partnership.
Seven city 'Golf Roots' projects ran throughout 2007 in Manchester, Cardiff, Portsmouth, Nottingham, London, Birmingham and Newcastle-upon-Tyne. With the additional funding provided by Grow Golf this increased to 15 in 2008. Each city enjoyed a summer of 'Golf Roots' activity, combining golf in schools with public community events and, more importantly, organised golf at golf clubs and driving ranges. The programme is sustainable, aiming to provide opportunities for youngsters to continue playing golf into the future.
Golf Foundation Development Manager, Brendan Pyle, said: "Much of what 'Golf Roots' is about is empowering members of the local community; not only in offering a new, beneficial sport to children, but also to give young people the opportunity to work as leaders and mentors to youngsters and help their own development as young adults."
Mike Round, Chief Executive of the Golf Foundation said: "We are grateful to the partners and trustees of Grow Golf for what is a very significant commitment to Golf Roots. Funds can be used to give children from different backgrounds and abilities the opportunity to both try golf and continue to play the game."
As the photographs below show, Golf Roots 2008 was a very successful campaign which was thoroughly enjoyed by thousands of youngsters throughout the summer.
