Golf Business News – EDGA and RSM UK demonstrate the power of volunteer coaching at The Open to grow the game

RSM UK's trained volunteers gave local disabled people the experience of hitting their first golf shots during The Open at Royal Troon, just yards from where the game's greatest players were competing.

EDGA, the respected international authority on G4D (disability golf), is supporting various public health groups to try golf in the UK, and has trained 70 RSM UK staff in Liverpool, London, Birmingham and Glasgow specifically to help new golfers . 'samples' in non-traditional golf settings.

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Volunteers Scott Miller and Conor Rea invited participants from Glasgow Disabled Scouts, Enable Scotland, and their Duke of Edinburgh award contacts, to enjoy a golf experience at the R&A SwingZone. The 15th fairway and used by The R&A, PGA, Scottish Golf and the Golf Foundation proved to be very popular throughout the week.

A group of enthusiastic new samples were also on hand courtesy of the club at The R&A's inclusive golf center and the new GolfIt! A number of attendees then watched the world's best golfers including Tiger Woods and champion Xander Schauffele on the Royal Troon links.

First, they played Golfway games at the Golf Foundation and recorded and putted games.

Ellie, 19, a talented tennis player who plays from a wheelchair to a professional level, got her first golf coaching experience from EDGA Head of Instruction and Education Mark Taylor, a PGA Fellow Professional.

Ellie said of her routine: “It's made a huge difference knowing how to position myself to turn and turn properly, and I didn't know I could swing with one hand, which I can! Mark has given me a lot of confidence and I hope to go again soon.”

Watched by his father Alan, young Andrew said: “I've never really played and it was really interesting, and every game was good. The Open was fun for us.”

Mark Taylor personally trained many of the RSM volunteers, including Scott and Conor, with the support of EDGA Director of Women's Golf Aimi Bullock. Mark said: “RSM deserve a lot of credit for going the extra mile to get their team members trained in this way. Voluntary roles in this context can have a huge positive impact: introducing young people with disabilities – some of whom may be initially nervous about what to expect – to try a new sport in a fun, safe environment in their community before choosing a path. they wish to take their golf away from the path of the players, that is, as a 'sampler', 'participator' or 'competitor'.”

Two members of the Edinburgh-based RSM team encouraged the new samplers by first explaining what the session would involve, getting them ready to hit the shots and guiding them through the concepts of the game including aiming, stance and grip and the basics of the game. swing.

Mark added: “Conor and Scott were so good in their training and their early experience in the lead teams that I had full confidence in letting them lead the times for The Open and we're delighted with the results. Support from The R&A, Golf Foundation, PGA and Scottish Golf made everyone feel welcome and special thanks to GolfIt!'s Golf Operations Manager Barry McCluskey and Alyson McKechin, Head of Golf, with their skill and enthusiasm.”

Conor Rea, Audit Supervisor at RSM UK, said: “Our training from Mark over the past few years has prepared us to deliver touch golf for the first time and this session at Royal Troon was the sixth we have led together. Overall, it has been very rewarding for us to bring this opportunity and program to different community groups in Scotland and show how accessible golf can be to those with disabilities.”

Scott Miller, Audit Supervisor at RSM UK, added: “In partnership with EDGA, we are now in the process of looking at the next steps to expand the program both by partnering with more organizations to run sessions and developing a wider pool of trained RSM volunteers to help. run them. This will not only build on the good relationship that already exists between RSM and EDGA, but will also allow us to reach more people and groups with disabilities or disabilities to try golf at a grassroots level.”

The EDGA is looking to encourage 500,000 new people into the game through its player pathway programme. A strong volunteer model can be beneficial across the board and can be particularly useful for the 'first touch' golf experience, using the R&A approved 'D3' EDGA format.

Golf Foundation Head of Development Martin Crowder said: “Our team is passionate about making golf a fun, inclusive and inspiring game for young people of all abilities and we're delighted to support the EDGA team who are doing so much to open up the game to all. . These community groups can enjoy a valuable first experience of learning to enjoy golf before experiencing all the spirit of The Open, thanks to all the support of the R&A.”