Major honours were presented to those who have demonstrated their passion for grass roots junior golf: volunteers, PGA Professionals, junior organisers, schoolteachers and local authority officers, during the Golf Foundation President’s Awards on Wednesday at Wentworth Club.
Former Golf Foundation President Ken Schofield was a guest of honour and presented each winner with their award in Wentworth Club’s magnificent Ballroom in front of a packed audience.
A number of golf’s biggest names were present to applaud the winners, many of whom are volunteers, and who all support the Foundation’s aim to make the game more accessible to children from all backgrounds and circumstances through its ‘HSBC Golf Roots’ programme. Each winner has excelled in helping to advance the Golf Foundation’s cause significantly in schools, the communities and golf clubs.
Nine prestigious awards were presented in a ceremony which is now a fixture in the golf industry’s diary. It is held at Wentworth courtesy of Golf Foundation supporter The European Tour and the Wentworth Club, taking place on the eve of the BMW PGA Championship.
Foundation Chief Executive Mike Round said: “One of the things I love about this event is that it brings the whole of golf together to thank and celebrate the work of these unsung heroes. We are here at one of the best tournaments in golf, at one of the best venues in golf, in a room full of the great and good of golf, but this event is all about the foundations of the sport. It’s about acknowledging the efforts of those whose work all too often goes unnoticed.
“It’s great to be able to congratulate the winners today for their achievements. They have all done tremendous work as part of our HSBC Golf Roots programme and I hope this inspires everyone here, and golfers everywhere, to support the Golf Foundation for the good of the game and the next generation of young players. Our winners are doing great things to help protect the future of this fabulous sport.
Mike added: “Being able to watch some of the world’s top golfers before and after our event also makes it a very special day for our guests and we are very grateful to The European Tour for granting us this unique opportunity.”
Golf Foundation Chairman Charles Harrison also spoke. He said: “When this organisation was founded 61 years ago by Sir Henry Cotton supported by Gerald Micklem, the Foundation was more of a grant giving body to schools. In the last 10 years the Foundation has become far more pro-active, developing its own large-scale and successful programme, called HSBC Golf Roots, which reached around a million youngsters last year, training thousands of volunteers and teachers.
“We have suffered funding challenges in recent times and it is vital that we maintain these high levels of support for new young golfers. Successful regional projects are run by great volunteers and professionals, and it is wonderful to celebrate these amazing people today who are doing so much to help the next generation of players. Their work is truly extraordinary.”
The President’s Awards were presented as follows:
The Gus Payne Award is presented to the club that raises the most money for the Golf Foundation’s initiatives and was won by Woburn Golf Club. For many years, Woburn has raised funds by committing to the concept of a certain amount of donation per member, and has demonstrated just how easy and effective this can be, raising £2,320.
The club also offers plenty of junior coaching activity, stages junior events, and is producing some talented young players. Mike Round said of Woburn: “It is one of my favourite venues in Great Britain, not just because of its wonderful clubhouse and stunning courses, and not just because of its commitment to junior golf, but also because it has been so good to the Golf Foundation in so many ways, for so long. We are extremely grateful to the club and its members for their generosity.”
