Colin Montgomerie's new charity role

Published on Tuesday 29 March 2011 18:57

COLIN Montgomerie is to succeed fellow Scot Ken Schofield as president of the Golf Foundation, a charity committed to the sporting and social development of young people through golf.

"I have long admired the work of the Golf Foundation and feel very honoured to be taking up this position," said last year's winning Ryder Cup captain.

"Golf has played such an important part in my life and I look forward to working with the Golf Foundation to inspire as many youngsters as possible to take up this great game."

Through its Golf Roots programme, the Foundation aims to reach one million children a year through golf by 2013, in support of the national golf partnerships of Scotland, England and and Wales.

Welcoming the appointment of Montgomerie, the charity's chairman Charles Harrison said: "Given his standing in the game and his knowledge and passion for golf, I am quite sure he will be able to contribute hugely as we grow as an organisation.

Harrison added: "After encouraging many young people to take up the game through his exploits in competitive golf, and inspiring the European team so many times in the Ryder Cup, he will now be able to inspire our team to raise the bar further in our efforts to offer many new children the opportunity to play the game, as well as providing help in the development of their life skills."

Montgomerie will take up his new post in early May, when Schofield steps down after five years in the role.

When he took over, former European Tour chief executive Schofield succeeded ex-R&A captain Sir Michael Bonallack.

The new president's first task will be to present the annual Golf Foundation awards during the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth at the end of May.