R&A sets up £7 million Covid-19 Support Fund to help struggling clubs

Funding aimed at helping 'bedrock' of the sport, says Martin Slumbers

The R&A has set up a 7 million Covid-19 fund to help golf clubs and golf facilities struggling during the current closure

The R&A has launched a £7 million funding package, The R&A Covid-19 Support Fund, to help golf deal with the impact of the pandemic.

The fund to help golf clubs and facilities facing financial difficulties during the crisis will be largely aimed at national associations and other affiliated bodies in Great Britain and Ireland.

R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers said: “The pandemic is having an unprecedented impact on golf and many clubs are facing dire financial situations through no fault of their own.

Golf is in our DNA and we want to see the sport continue to thrive from grassroots right through to the top level on the professional tours. We have a responsibility to do what we can to help in such a crisis.

“The R&A Covid-19 Support Fund will enable national associations and other key bodies to provide support to some of their members.

"We know that many challenges lie ahead, but club golf is the bedrock of our sport and hopefully this fund will help to begin the process of recovery.”

A statement said the R&A is working with its national associations and other selected organisations on communications, with each body being responsible for controlling and allocating its share.

The R&A reinvests the proceeds from the success of The Open in growing and supporting golf and has launched the new fund despite this year's event having been cancelled.

The St Andrews-based governing body already provides financial support to a wide range of organisations in addition to national associations, including the European Tour, the LET, the PGA of Great Britain and Ireland and the Golf Foundation.

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