The Golf Foundation, a charity committed to giving children and young people the chance to experience golf, has been announced as the Official Charity of the 2015 British Masters supported by Sky Sports.
Fundraising began during the Wednesday Pro-Am, the traditional curtain-raiser to the tournament, with professionals donating their Pro-Am appearance fee.
The amateur guests also contributed to the worthy cause by taking part in the Charity Hit the Green competition on the par three 17th hole of the stunning Marquess’ course at Woburn Golf Club. Each amateur made a donation to the Golf Foundation, and if they hit the green they won a signed copy of Ian Poulter’s autobiography ‘No Limits’.
The European Tour also showed their support of the charity by matching the donations of the professionals and the amateurs, bringing the grand total raised to £8,000.
Poulter, who this year is the tournament host of the event and is attached to Woburn, is a staunch supporter of grass roots golf and coaching initiatives. He said: “It’s fantastic to see the Golf Foundation involved in the event. I can’t think of a better charity to benefit from the week, given the goals of the tournament, which is to encourage golf participation across all ages in the UK.”
The British Masters has returned to The European Tour International Schedule for the first time since 2008, and the partnership with Sky Sports has placed a strong emphasis on encouraging more people in the UK – particularly youngsters – to take up golf and enjoy the benefits it offers.
The Golf Foundation’s Skills for Life principle underpins their work, based on the belief that the skills children and young people learn through playing golf will benefit them for the rest of their lives.
Engaging more than half a million children each year, the foundation plays a central role in making golf a popular activity, and on Wednesday, around 35 local students visited the British Masters supported by Sky Sports to take part in the Street Golf Festival.
Brendon Pyle, Chief Executive of the Golf Foundation, said: “The Golf Foundation is delighted to be nominated as the Official Charity of this year’s British Masters supported by Sky Sports. I am sure this will be a fantastic event and will inspire the many young people and their families watching, so this is great news for grass roots junior golf.
“We would also like to thank The European Tour for providing us with the opportunity to stage a Street Golf Festival on the Pro-Am day for 60 school children aged between 11 and 14, who took part in various innovative and fun challenges away from the actual golf course.”
