The Horsham GC GolfSixes team celebrate a victory – the new Texas-scramble format for boys and girls is attracting 50 per cent more juniors to play golf at clubs in England

GOLFSIXES Leagues have been hailed as a “game-changer” by the Golf Foundation in attracting new young players and families to the game.

There has been almost a 50 per cent increase in the number signing up as club junior members in England in 2019, according to new figures from the golf charity.

The GolfSixes League format – played over six holes – saw 2,676 boys and girls from 233 clubs in England, Scotland and Wales take part last year.

They competed in 52 junior leagues, with a 49 per cent increase in junior membership at 161 clubs in England – with a 35 per cent increase across England, Scotland and Wales.

The exciting new format was also trialled in Ireland for the first time in the last year.

Golf Foundation research found 59 per cent of parents volunteered to help at league fixtures (38 per cent of whom were non-golfers).

And 88 per cent of family members thought the format was “fun” and more than 80 per cent would like to play more golf.

Encouragingly, GolfSixes is attracting large number of females to take up golf with 28 per cent of all players being girls.

Sports Marketing Surveys Inc research revealed a big jump in participation by boys and girls

The Golf Foundation urges clubs to field mixed teams wherever possible, and is eager to increase that percentage going forward.

GolfSixes brings in £300 a match

Golf Foundation chief executive Brendon Pyle said: “With the help of Sports Marketing Surveys Inc. providing insight into what makes a great experience for juniors and their families at a golf club, GolfSixes League was designed to help more budding golfers involved in PGA coaching schemes to engage with both the sport and the golf club – and continue as regular golfers.

“We are delighted with the membership figures and the strong interest from non-golfing families.

“The average income from food and beverage at a GolfSixes League fixture has been £300 – a strong indicator of the wider impact of the initiative on the golf club.

“All our feedback suggests GolfSixes Leagues now offers a real opportunity to help change the perceptions of golf among the wider public, which is priceless for the sport and a possible game changer.”

•To read the full report on GolfSixes League research click here.

GolfSixes is getting the thumbs up from players, golf club and the game’s governing bodies. Picture by MATT GREAVES

How GolfSixes can restore some normality for golf clubs after coronavirus crisis . . .

THE Golf Foundation believes the industry can look forward to GolfSixes helping to bring some normality back to clubs struggling with the huge economic impact of the COVID-19 lockdown.

Golf Foundation chief executive Brendan Pyle said: “Looking forward, it is anticipated that when returning to play golf is possible again – once the coronavirus restrictions are lifted – there will be 98 GolfSixes Leagues across the four Home Nations.”

With 484 golf clubs ready to take part – there will also be smaller trials held in new areas – a total of 6,600 youngsters are expected to take part this year.

On a typical weekend, squads of 12 boys and girls practise together with their PGA coaches before playing other clubs in matches in which they wear coloured team shirts.

The Foundation recognises the coaching build-up and togetherness has appealed to children and parents who experience the same process in football, rugby and hockey – but less so at golf clubs.

The Texas-scramble element of the game allows for all abilities within the same team, as the youngsters all get to play from optimum positions on the course.

The initiative was first launched with the support of Sport England. Matches took place predominantly at HSBC Golf Roots Centres – junior-friendly golf clubs supported by the Golf Foundation.

Now GolfSixes is spreading to more and more clubs in all parts of the country thanks to “substantial investment” from The R&A, the endorsement of the European Tour, and operational support from the four Home Nations, says the Golf Foundation.

Every GolfSixes League player gets three Titleist balls

Every child taking part also receives three golf balls from Titleist – a key supporter of the charity.

Mr Pyle, who heads the Hertfordshire-based charity, added: “We have been further buoyed by the very generous support of The R&A, the charity’s strongest supporter, and the endorsement of our friends at the European Tour.

“Both organisations clearly recognise the potential of GolfSixes League as we work alongside England Golf, Scottish Golf, Wales Golf and the Confederation of Golf in Ireland.”

•For more detail on GolfSixes League go to http:// www.golf-foundation.org

GolfSixes League teams get to practice with their PGA coach before matches, mirroring the envrionment of other junior sports like football and rugby says the Golf Foundation.
Picture by MATT GREAVES

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Girls golf will be a the forefront of the Golf Foundation and England’s Golf’s work with The R&A during the Road to the Open initiative in Kent before the 149th Open at Royal St George’s Picture by LEADERBOARD PHOTOGRAPHY

THE Road to The Open will see 125 schools and 25 golf clubs across Kent take part in a string of events aimed at celebrating Royal St George’s hosting the 149th Open at Sandwich this summer.

The R&A’s Road to The Open will encourage young people to join the journey as golf’s oldest championship heads to Sandwich, in July.

As part of England Golf and the Golf Foundation’s pledge to work closely to increase participation numbers, the host county will be putting everything into the Claret Jug’s return to Royal St George’s for the first time since 2011.

The Golf Foundation charity and England Golf – the country’s governing body – will work closely with schools and clubs over the coming months.

The Road to The Open will involve fun events at adventure golf courses, four StreetGolf clubs, 15 school games events and 18 clubs playing in three GolfSixes Leagues.

Taking golf into new locations, supported by the famous Claret Jug on tour, the joint initiative aims to reach out to 10,000 children and young people and spark an interest in golf that can last a lifetime.

Golf Foundation chief executive Brendon Pyle said: “England Golf is one of our most popular, important, strategic partners and we collaborate well on several different initiatives that ensure an effective player pathway from school to club to membership.

“The Road to The Open is a perfect example of how the two organisations work well together for the benefit of growing the game in England.

“Based on trust and a recognition of each partner’s strengths, we look forward to a new era of joint working in England for the benefit of young people in golf and the future of our sport.”

“There is already a huge buzz around The Open heading back to Royal St George’s for the first time since 2011,” said an England Golf spokesman.

Now the 2020 Road to the Open will seek to involve communities across Kent and help create a lasting legacy for golf throughout the county, he added.

The scale of the project around an Open Championship is unprecedented.

Jeremy Tomlinson, England Golf’s new chief executive, is backing work with the Golf Foundation and The R&A to attract more young people into golf

England Golf’s chief executive Jeremy Tomlinson said: “England Golf and the Golf Foundation share a vision for the future of golf with young people at the very heart of our sport.

“At England Golf we are passionate about what we do and The R&A’s Road to The Open project allows us to showcase golf to the next generation.

“We now look forward to developing our relationship with the Golf Foundation in a way that helps encourage more and more young people to enjoy the social, sporting and health benefits associated with this wonderful game.”

The R&A has committed £2 million to the Golf Foundation over a four-year period to support its drive to inspire more young people to play golf and to encourage them to stay within the sport to boost membership.

R&A golf development director Duncan Weir said: “We are pleased to support the Golf Foundation and England Golf in their development efforts and the ‘Road to The Open’ project which aims to introduce golf to a new audience.

“Attracting new golfers is pivotal to the long-term success of the sport and The 149th Open provides the perfect setting for young people to learn about, try and experience golf.”

Wrag Barn junior Ellie Webster was named November’s Hero Handsake winner after spreading the word about junior golf via her golfing_girls_journey Instagram account

Pathway from schools to golf clubs

THE Road to the Open follows on from a number of existing, key initiatives which sees England Golf partner with the Golf Foundation to ensure a player pathway from school through to club.

GolfSixes League has become a major project in growing junior memberships at golf clubs, supported by The R&A and the European Tour.

This year’s events will be enjoyed by 6,400 boys and girls at 475 clubs across the UK, having been introduced in the last three years.

Since 2015, Girls Golf Rocks has helped more than 5,000 beginners learn that golf can be a fun, sociable, cool and athletic sport.

With PGA professional coaching support at each club and the Foundation training existing girl players as ambassadors, the programme will be rolled out by England Golf and the Golf Foundation to 200 clubs across 35 counties in 2020.

Another collaboration involves a dedicated group of Young Ambassadors.

The team of 17 young people has also created the Hero’s Handshake project which recognises juniors who have made a positive impact at their golf club.

Wrag Barn’s Ellie Webster was the winner in November – the 12-year-old Wiltshire golfer used her Instagram account to spread the word about her club’s junior programme including Girls Golf Rocks and her dream to become a golf pro.

England Golf and the Golf Foundation work to create a safe environment for youngsters to enjoy the game at clubs and HSBC Grassroots Golf Centres. Picture by MATT GREAVES

How golf is putting children’s welfare first

SAFEGUARDING issues are at the heart of all work carried out by England Golf and the Golf Foundation.

At HSBC Golf Roots Centres, the Golf Foundation carries out criminal record checks, safeguarding training and child protection policies.

England Golf’s network of club support officers are helping clubs and counties work to achieve SafeGolf status ahead of it becoming a mandatory part of the affiliation process from January 2021.

Together, England Golf and the Golf Foundation aim to ensure a vibrant and successful future for golf.

England Golf is the governing body for the amateur game promoting the sport as a fun and fully inclusive activity for all ages through its work with over 1,800 golf clubs, 630,000 golf club members and the wider golfing community.

National children’s charity the Golf Foundation changes the lives of young people by introducing them to golf.  It provides opportunities for them to keep playing and developing the skills for life that the sport teaches them.

Learn more about their work at www.englandgolf.org and www.golf-foundation.org

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Bro Hof Slott Golf Club which will host the mixed event hosted by the Ladies European Tour and the European Tour in June. Picture by LENNART HYSE

MAJOR champions Henrik Stenson and Annika Sörenstam will host an innovative mixed event in Sweden next year, with men and women going head-to-head for the first time on the same course.

Henrik Stenson has committed to play in the first three Scandinavian Mixed tournments with one trophy and equal prize money. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

Sörenstam added: “I’m delighted to host the Scandinavian Mixed alongside Henrik in Sweden for the next three years.

Sörenstam has concentrated on her ANNIKA Invitational series to give young girls and women around the world chances to play at the highest level since retiring in 2008

European Tour chief executive Keith Pelley said: “Inclusivity and innovation are two of our key pillars and we are delighted to have global stars in Henrik and Annika leading the way as hosts of the Scandinavian Mixed in their home country of Sweden as we continue to drive golf further.

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THE Golf Foundation is celebrating girls’ golf in style during this week’s Solheim Cup at Gleneagles, while supporting the iconic match between Europe and the USA, which starts on Friday.

For the whole week, the Golf Foundation team will be highlighting the positive steps taken by its supporters to grow the game for girls.

It will also ask what more can be done to promote the playing, health and social benefits of the sport for girls.

The charity is staging a trio of special events in support of the Solheim Cup and Team Europe.

Teeing-off the week of international celebrations around the Gleneagles area, Scotland’s GolfSixes League Final was held at nearby Muckhart Golf Club, with 16 teams of boys and girls from across Scotland.

GolfSixes League is a Golf Foundation programme involving 260 golf clubs and 3,000 youngsters in England, Scotland and Wales – around 33 per cent of players are girls.

Scottish Golf has made GolfSixes League such a success that with additional support from the 2019 Solheim Cup Development Group, the number of mixed golf club teams taking part will increase from 67 this year, to 100 in 2020.

Golf was also celebrated in a unique ‘Solheim Cup takeover’, on Sunday as 59 girls from clubs in Lincolnshire and Yorkshire played GolfSixes at Elsham Golf Club.

Older girls have been specially trained to support the youngsters, helping to increase their leadership experience while backed throughout by adult volunteers.

The day was all about learning and fun, with plenty of other attractions including face-painting, a fun photo booth, activity stands, a pick ’n’ mix stall and plenty more.

A similar Solheim Cup themed day will end this special week on Sunday, September 15, on the final day of the biennial match which is the women’s equivalent of the Ryder Cup.

In this case, teams of girls from Essex, Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Suffolk and Middlesex are invited to Golf World Stanstead for a GolfSixes League competition and fun activities including a “Mega Putt Challenge” for all the 50 girls invited.

Stacey Mitchell, who heads girls’ golf for the Golf Foundation, said: “These three GolfSixes League events will all be particularly special as they take place in a celebratory week for girls’ golf alongside the Solheim Cup.

“These matches, and our work that we will be promoting throughout the week on social media, serve to highlight how all the activity of the Golf Foundation, from school and community golf to regular play in golf clubs, has a stronger focus on girls than ever before.

“The charity is proactively working to encourage more girls to ‘Start, Learn and Stay’ in golf and love the sport.

“From offering leadership training to empower more girls as leaders, to working with our ambassadors Meghan MacLaren and Felicity Johnson to promote girls’ golf nationally, we want to continue to make a positive difference going forwards.

“From ensuring that school golf teams, and club GolfSixes League teams, pick girls alongside the boys, and funding PGA Professionals at our junior friendly clubs to coach more girls, to working with Brownies and Guide groups, we are seeking to innovate to build momentum.

“We also recognise a great deal more needs to be done to grow participation and this week of activity will highlight this.”

The Golf Foundation’s ‘HSBC Golf Roots’ programme has created positive results in the last year with regard to girls’ participation. These include:

•A 48 per cent increase in the number of girls visiting a golf club

•The generation of 3,422 new affiliated golf club junior members including 23 per cent girls

•Thirty-three per cent of GolfSixes League players have been girls, with two girls-only leagues in Lincolnshire and Essex

•The Foundation trained more than 200 new Girls Golf Rocks ambassadors with England Golf, while in schools, the charity requests 50 per cent of all school teams are girls for games they play.

The Golf Foundation is following closely its stated pledge as a signatory of The R&A Women in Golf Charter.

The R&A is the charity’s strongest supporter as the two bodies seek to inspire more youngsters into playing golf and to increase the retention of juniors within the sport to boost membership at clubs.

For the week ahead now, the foundation’s team looks forward to supporting the Ladies European Tour and its players throughout the Solheim Cup.

The charity will also be asking its supporters and others in golf to share positive stories about encouraging more girls to enjoy the benefits of golf.

#SolheimCupCelebration and #GrowingGirlsGolf will be among the hashtags deployed on social media in what should be an exciting week for all involved, said a Golf Foundation spokesman.

Girls from Lincolnshire and Yorkshire will play in special GolfSixes League day at Elsham Golf Club this weekend to mark the Solheim Cup between Europe and the USA at Gleneagles. Picture by LEADERBOARD PHOTOGRAPHY

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The Golf Foundation’s annual pro-am will switch to a GolfSixes format at Sussex’s picturesque Downs Course at Golf at Goodwood with an evening event in the glorious Goodwood House

THE Golf Foundation is teaming up with Golf At Goodwood to create a golf day with a difference promoting the GolfSixes game – hosted by European Tour winner Graeme Storm.

The charity’s 33^rd annual pro-am has been given a facelift and will raise funds to support the Golf Foundation’s “Start, Learn and Stay” philosophy in order to encourage more young people from all backgrounds to take up golf – and grow the game.

The West Sussex club will host the Golf Foundation Goodwood Sixes on Monday, October 7, with all the proceeds going to the national charity.

Golf at Goodwood has spectacular views of the Sussex Downs. Teams will play a range of three formats in total, including GolfSixes, which the European Tour has introduced – and is now being used by junior sections across the country to get kids hooked on the game.

Guests will start the day with a lavish breakfast at The Kennels, before enjoying the challenge of The Downs Course in a famous Woody buggy.

As well as the GolfSixes – featuring a number of on-course challenges – Storm, who has won twice on the European Tour and played in the same Walker Cup team as Paul Casey and Luke Donald as an amateur, in 1999, will host a special clinic in his role as a Golf Foundation Ambassador.

Players will take part in the ‘Flop-Shot challenge’, ‘Beat-the-Junior’ and the ‘Beat James Braid’ hickory challenge.

The latter is named after the five-time Open Champion and designer of The Downs Course.

Players will also have personalised lockers, an on-course gin tent and other refreshments during the day.

The day will be completed with a three-course meal and the chance to bid for luxury experiences in the charity auction, all taking place in the elegant splendour of Goodwood House – which is synonymous with the Festival of Speed motor racing extravaganza.

A grand tour of Lord March’s 17^th Century stately home is also on the menu.

Golf at Goodwood’s general manager Stuart Gillett said: “We are delighted to be partnering with the Golf Foundation on a unique and innovative day where we will be able to celebrate the great work of the foundation – but also raise awareness for junior golf.

“We hosted the launch of the GolfSixes League back in May when over 70 children enjoyed The Park Course, and it really is a fantastic format.

“We will be incorporating elements of this into the event, which will be great fun.

“Our aim has been to create a different type of golf event with some fun and innovative tweaks which will be memorable for all.

“To then finish the day off with a dinner in Goodwood House is very special. We hope the event will be well-supported as the Golf Foundation does such a wonderful job to help grow the great game of golf.”

Vanessa Bell, the Golf Foundation’s head of fundraising, said: “We wanted to take all the best things from our traditional pro-am – the camaraderie, generosity and sense of fun that our supporters were well-known for – and then freshen up the offer.”

In previous years, the pro-am has seen teams play with stars from the European, Challenge and Staysure Tours, while last year members of the Ladies European Tour took part at London Golf Club to highlight support for growing the girls’ game in particularl.

Since the introduction of the GolfSixes competition by the Golf Foundation in May, some 3,000 boys and girls across 260 golf clubs have been competing in 55 inter-club leagues.

Pro-am guests have the added option of experiencing a special 18-hole ‘GolfSixes Challenge’ on Sunday, October 6, before enjoying a feasting menu at Goodwood Hotel that evening.

Bookings are for £960 for a team of four. To book your place call (01992) 449830 or email fundraising@golf-foundation.org

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This week’s GolfSixes is the most innovative change to the European Tour’s schedule where every shot has a consequence. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

By European Tour Chief Executive KEITH PELLEY
AN interesting discussion developed at our headquarters the other day about whether our current stretch of European Tour events – Made in Denmark, the Belgian Knockout and this week’s GolfSixes Cascais – should form an official Innovation Swing.

It is debate not without merit. The golfing calendar is undoubtedly a crowded one, and with Majors either side of them, these three events each offer an alternative narrative.

Both the Belgian Knockout and GolfSixes appeal to a younger demographic through head-to-head action as well as shorter form golf – nine-hole battles in the former and six-hole contests in the latter – which ensures that each shot has a consequence in the outcome of the match.

GolfSixes also features male and female teams competing against each other, players wearing shorts and using distance measuring devices, as well as a shot clock which gives players a countdown to their stroke.

In contrast, on the surface, Made in Denmark could be viewed simply as ‘another 72-hole strokeplay event.’

But the reality is somewhat different because of the promoters’ unstinting commitment to innovation and originality.

Take the 14th  hole at Himmerland Golf and Spa Resort as an example.

What could easily have been a routine, 262-yard par four was transformed thanks to the introduction of the Heineken Lounge, where players walked from the 13th green through the hospitality area to the 14th tee box which was incorporated into the structure.

The result was a terrific atmosphere for the fans and the creation of some memorable content from many players, most notably Jamie Donaldson and Matthew Southgate.

It also created some clever brand exposure for Heineken.

It was one of a number of concepts introduced which put innovation at the heart of this tournament.

Other activations included the inaugural European eTour Championship – our first esports contest, which tapped into the 15 million plus people globally who play World Golf Tour (WGT) on their mobile devices.

The Made in Denmark’s 14th tee which players – including Lee Westwood (above) approached through a beer tent accompanied by loud music. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

Such creativity undoubtedly helped distinguish Made in Denmark from the norm in a congested and competitive golfing landscape.

Last year, across all Tours, there were 395 tournaments globally which counted towards the Official World Golf Ranking.

Of these, 382 were strokeplay events and just 13 were classified as “other formats,” including the Belgian Knockout and the ISPS Handa World Super 6 Perth, which also features on our Race to Dubai.

While the biggest golfing events, such as the Ryder Cup, the Major Championships and our Rolex Series, continue to get bigger, the battle for regular events to cut through can be more complex and challenging – particularly when you factor in other sports and forms of entertainment which vie for the consumer’s attention.

This weekend, to name but a few, you have the conclusion of the French Open tennis, the start of the women’s football World Cup, the continuation of the Cricket World Cup, the Nations League Football Finals and of course, my personal favourite, the NBA Finals featuring the Toronto Raptors against the Golden State Warriors.

The prolificacy of consumer choice is why innovation is essential. Fail to innovate and you simply risk being left behind or crowded out.

Events such as GolfSixes strive to appeal to a different audience.

Last year’s event at the Centurion Club in England attracted a younger demographic on social media with more than 50 per cent of engagement from under 35s, while attendees were 20 per cent younger than the average age of spectators at regular European Tour events.

Furthermore, in the last two years numerous GolfSixes junior leagues have been launched across the UK and Europe, with girls forming more than 30 per cent of the participants to sign up.

As well as underpinning our creation of GolfSixes, innovation is one of our central pillars.

It drives our content, our use of technology and our introduction of different formats.

In a crowded marketplace, this positioning has resonance with our partners, our broadcasters, but also increasingly with how fans view the European Tour as a brand.

Perhaps the introduction of an official Innovation Swing is a good idea after all?

•What do you think about Keith Pelley’s ideas on an Innovation Swing on the European Tour? Leave your comments.

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GolfSixes winners Sian Whitbread and Paul Dimmer, from Haste Hill Golf Club, who will play in the European Tour GolfSixes, in Cascais, Portugal, in June. Picture by LEADERBOARD PHOTOGRAPHY

MIDDLESEX golfers Sian Whitbread and Paul Dimmer booked a trip to Portugal with the European Tour when they held their nerve to win the English GolfSixes final at St Albans’ Centurion Club.

The pair from Haste Hill Golf Cub triumphed on a tough play-off hole after winning their group and going head-to-head with the victors from the other side of the draw.

They took on the 166-yard challenge which has faced Tour players over the last two years, when GolfSixes was played at the Hertfordshire venue.

And, despite a head wind and the intimidating water feature just off the green, they came up trumps in the greensomes event.

Dimmer ignored his nerves to send his tee shot into the heart of the green, Whitbread rolled the putt to within one-foot of the hole, leaving her partner a tap-in.

With their handicap allowance of 0.7 on the hole they pipped their challengers, Dennis Swain and Andy Simon of West Essex. They too parred the hole but received just 0.3 of a shot.

The win brings Whitbread and Dimmer a luxury trip to Cascais in Portugal to play in the 12-hole pro-am ahead of the European Tour’s 2019 GolfSixes tournament, on June 7-8.

They will stay on as the Tour’s guests to watch the championship.

Andy Stubbs, from the European Tour, told competitors: “GolfSixes is something we are very, very proud of and the winners will come to Portugal and join us for a great experience.”

Whitbread and Dimmer took their place in the England Golf final after winning the men’s and women’s qualifiers at Haste Hill, a municipal club in Northwood – where Dimmer is the club captain.

Their outing was their first as a greensomes pairing and they played their six holes in level par 26, nett 22, to top the leaderboard for their loop.

On the other loop, Swain and Simon were round in two-under gross, nett 19.9, to win their section and make the deciding play-off.

Afterwards, Dimmer said: “I’m drained, physically, emotionally and mentally, but I’m also exhilarated.

“It’s been a phenomenal event and we’ve enjoyed it immensely. It’s probably the biggest single achievement of our sporting lives and we hope to represent England Golf in a way they will be proud of.”

Whitbread, a retired payroll manager, and Dimmer, who works in the operating theatres at Harefield Hospital, are both board members at their club.

They are keen to introduce more people to the game – and would recommend GolfSixes.

“It’s a way to get more people involved when they haven’t got much time, it’s a perfect format,” added Dimmer.

“I’ve only been playing golf for seven years and this shows you can get into golf and do something phenomenal if you have the right partner and the right circumstances.”

The fun, fast format of GolfSixes has proved a great hit as a European Tour event and has captured the enthusiasm of huge numbers of juniors – and the Golf Foundation’s 2019 GolfSixes League launched at the weekend.

England Golf’s partnership with the European Tour has seen the format rolled out to club members, culminating in this month’s final.

It is being replicated in Finland and Denmark, who will also send representatives to the pro-am.

•Find out more about GolfSixes Leagues in the UK by clicking here.

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