Six local charities are benefitting from a share of £200,000 in charitable fundraising following the 2022 Genesis Scottish Open.
The East Lothian Foodbank, Gullane Village Association, Leuchie House, Muirfield Riding Therapy, the Pennypit Trust, and the Stephen Gallacher Foundation were selected as beneficiaries, as Scotland’s national open strives to give back to the local area via a wide range of causes.
The Renaissance Club Charitable Foundation - set up by the owners of host venue the Renaissance Club - received generous donations from club members and others playing in the Genesis Scottish Open pro-am. The DP World Tour, PGA TOUR and title partner Genesis contributed to a Birdie Pledge bringing the fundraising total to approximately £200,000.
The Genesis Scottish Open was co-sanctioned by the DP World Tour and PGA TOUR for the first time in 2022 as part of a historic Strategic Alliance, and boasted a new title sponsor in Genesis, the luxury automotive brand from South Korea. Olympic champion Xander Schauffele became the first player to win an event co-sanctioned by the DP World Tour and PGA TOUR outside of the Majors and World Golf Championships and has confirmed that he will return in July to defend his Genesis Scottish Open title.
Rory Colville, the DP World Tour’s Championship Director for the Genesis Scottish Open, said: “We were delighted to be able to come together with the tournament partners to raise such a fantastic figure to be distributed amongst so many worthy local causes following the 2022 Genesis Scottish Open.
“Scotland’s national open has a long history of charitable giving, and it is important to us as a Tour to have a positive impact on the communities we visit under our Golf for Good principles. Although the tournament has been staged in the East Lothian area since 2018, and at the Renaissance Club since 2019, the 2022 event was the start of a new era, and it seemed fitting to distribute the funds raised to charities spread across the local area and with a whole range of aims and outcomes.”
David Sarvadi, Chair, The Renaissance Club Foundation, said: “The Trustees of The Renaissance Club Charitable Foundation are grateful for the generous support of Genesis, the DP World Tour, the PGA TOUR and the Renaissance Club. Our aim is to support first local charities who provide assistance and comfort in a variety of settings and second, the development of golf in East Lothian and greater Scotland. This successful initial effort sets the stage for a greater effort in the future.”
The Genesis Scottish Open benefits from the continued commitment of the Scottish Government, managed by VisitScotland, and retains its place in golf’s global calendar the week ahead of The Open as part of these agreements through to 2025. The 2022 tournament teed off an incredible summer of events in Scotland, the Home of Golf, and was followed over July and August by The 150th Open, the Senior Open presented by Rolex, Hero Open, Trust Golf Women’s Scottish Open and the AIG Women’s Open.
Culture Minister Christina McKelvie said: “I’m delighted to see the Genesis Scottish Open giving back to local charities, a wonderful example of a Scottish Government supported event delivering a positive impact for the local community.
“This is great news for the six Lothian based organisations who will benefit from a share of the £200,000 the national event has raised.
“It’s good to see last year’s incredible summer of golf in Scotland not only attracting international recognition and investment, but bringing direct community benefits.”
The DP World Tour and PGA TOUR have confirmed that the Genesis Scottish Open will be hosted at The Renaissance Club through until 2026, with the Rolex Series event returning to the East Lothian venue for a fifth consecutive year from July 13-16, 2023.
The charities that are benefitting from 2022 Genesis Scottish Open fundraising are:
East Lothian Foodbank (Tranent)
The East Lothian Foodbank’s county wide distribution of food parcels to those in crisis contributes towards tackling the effects of poverty throughout East Lothian. They provided over 3000 emergency food parcels in 2021 and demand continues to increase with May 2022 being the busiest month in the history of the foodbank when they fed 988 people, 39% of which were children. They have also continued to supply food and resources to local pantries and others who offer support to vulnerable clients, including provision of breakfast items to their local High School for breakfast clubs and Nourish groups.
Gullane Village Association
The Gullane Village Association (GVA) was formed during lockdown by members of the Resilience Team keen to continue the amazing community support work done during the pandemic. In September 2021 it prevented the loss of the village’s old scout hall by taking on the lease, and through the hard work of the committee, has created a wonderful community space for groups such as the Scouts, Taekwondo, art classes, bridge and the Gullane Youth Club meet for many years. The GVA won a grant last summer to allow priority families access to summer activities and will do so again this year. Their next projects include fitting out the hall’s kitchen and upgrading heating and lighting.
Leuchie House (North Berwick)
Set in the beautiful East Lothian countryside, Leuchie House is the only centre in Scotland dedicated to supporting people living with a neurological condition such as MS, Parkinson’s, MND and the effects of stroke through individualised short respite breaks. Guests come from East Lothian and across Scotland for more than just a change of caring environment. Their 24-hour nursing and care team enable guests to enjoy in-house activities, entertainment and outings in East Lothian in wheelchair accessible vehicles, as well as freshly prepared meals. They relieve carers of some of their many caring responsibilities, lowering risk and reducing care costs; so that the impact of a break is felt long after guests return home.
Muirfield Riding Therapy (Luffness)
Muirfield Riding Therapy provides pioneering equine facilitated therapy, involving activities with horses to promote participants’ physical and mental health. Volunteer-led and self-funded, their sessions are free and accessible to all. They continue to develop innovative ways of including people with various and complex mental and physical disabilities. Their Quiet Corner launched during the pandemic, aimed at people who’re unable to ride, allowing them to enjoy the benefits of bonding with special ponies. They are now expanding their mental health programme using this approach to people living with PTSD.
Pennypit Trust (Prestonpans)
The Pennypit Trust provides a wide range of activities in Prestonpans, Port Seton and Tranent, offering opportunities for local young people through volunteering, work experience, sport and lunch clubs. This helps to engage young people in their neighbourhood with the aim of creating a healthy and happy community. They specifically target hard to reach young people with the purpose of raising school attainment and creating an inclusive programme for all. During the covid lockdowns the charity delivered meals daily to people shielding and the charity has now set up a weekly lunch club for senior citizens, many of whom are living alone and experiencing social isolation.
Stephen Gallacher Foundation (Edinburgh)
The Stephen Gallacher Foundation, which mainly covers Edinburgh and the Lothians, was launched by the Scottish Ryder Cup winner in 2012 with the aim to give all children the opportunity to learn and enjoy the game of golf in a fun environment. Their goal is to create future members of golf clubs – and while they believe it would be amazing if someone from the Foundation went on to become a professional golfer - their main goal is for children to become good golf club members who will enjoy this beautiful game for the rest of their days.
