Golf is open to all
The Open
Proceeds from The Open reinvested in growing golf around the world
20 Jul 24
3 mins
While the focus is on the pursuit of the Claret Jug for the world’s leading male golfers at The 152nd Open this week, the Championship plays a key role in helping The R&A make the sport more accessible, appealing and inclusive across the world.
The proceeds generated by The Open enabled The R&A to invest £24.1m in golf in 2023 as the organisation remains on course to fulfil its ambitious programme of investing £200 million in golf over a ten-year period (2017-2026). The cumulative investment in the sport since 2017 is now £138 million. Given The R&A governs the sport worldwide – outside of the United States and Mexico – on behalf of over 61 million golfers in 146 countries and with the consent of 165 organisations from amateur and professional golf, The Open’s impact is therefore vital. “Our vision is to ensure that golf is open to all and enjoyed by people of all ages, backgrounds, genders and ethnicities,” says Martin Slumbers, CEO of The R&A, in The Open’s official programme at Royal Troon this week. “Through the collective work of our development activity, the support of national associations and the wider golf industry I am pleased to see the sport continuing to thrive, especially at grassroots level.” Of The R&A’s investment into the sport in 2023, £6.1 million was made in grants to support golf development and golf sustainability around the world, including £2.8m provided to national associations affiliated to The R&A and £570,000 in support of Women in Golf initiatives.2023 Investment
Highlights
In 2023, The R&A invested £24.1 million in golf. Since launching this initiative in 2017, the
investment in the sport was £138 million.
£6.1m
In Grants
£4.4m Supporting Governance
£2.8m To Affiliates
Areas supported include Project Ukraine, an initiative created by nine women from The R&A’s Women in Golf Leadership Development Programme, to help young Ukrainian golfers affected by the continuing war.
A further £4.5 million was invested in staging world class amateur championships across the world, while an additional £4 million went to support professional golf. The R&A also invested £4.4 million in governance of the sport, including the Rules of Golf, Equipment Standards and the World Handicap System™.
During 2023, the organisation also made charitable donations of £3.5 million to The R&A Foundation, which provides funding from the proceeds of The Open and through philanthropic donations to support projects that transform lives and communities through golf. R&A Foundation funding supports programmes that create opportunities and deliver impact across five areas: accessibility, sustainability, health, heritage and talent.
In addition, £500,000 was directed to support junior golf and equipment and £500,000 to the Golf Foundation, the UK charity committed to giving children and young people the opportunity to experience golf and the benefits it has to offer. Funding of £410,000 also benefited GolfSixes programmes – a team-based competition that gives junior players the experience of being part of a team and representing clubs at beginner level.
In 2023, there was also £100,000 for greenkeeping scholarships and £470,000 on Golf Course 2030 sustainability initiatives for the long-term benefit of the sport.
You can find out more about R&A investment here.