Well, England Golf is having quite the year! Fresh off their runner-up finish for Sports Organisation of the Year at the 2024 FEVO Sports Industry Awards, theyโre now in the running for three more big prizes at the 2024 Sports Business Awards.
And itโs not just any ceremonyโthis oneโs happening at Old Billingsgate on November 29th. Safe to say, all eyes will be on them.
Hereโs the scoop: England Golf has been shortlisted for three impressive awards: Best Sports Governing Body of the Year, Sports Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Award, and the Sports Innovation Award. Not too shabby, right?
These nominations highlight just how much theyโre shaking things up in the golf world, and itโs not just about teeing off anymore. Itโs about inclusion, innovation, and building a game that everyone can enjoy.
With more than 1,750 affiliated clubs and a whopping 722,000 members, England Golf is leading the charge to make the sport better, not just for die-hard golfers, but for everyone.
Their strategy revolves around four big pillars: leading with integrity, giving the golf community a much-needed boost, making the game accessible for all, and inspiring future generations to pick up a club. These arenโt just fancy wordsโtheyโre really making things happen.
Take the Respect in Golf movement, for example. This initiative is all about making sure everyone feels welcome, no matter who they are or where they come from.
Whether youโre a seasoned pro or someone whoโs never swung a club in your life, England Golf wants you to know thereโs a place for you. Itโs all about breaking down barriers and making golf a game for everyone.
And theyโre not stopping there. Over the past year, theyโve partnered with more than 70 facilitiesโincluding driving ranges, simulator venues, and even adventure golf spots.
Thatโs not just the traditional course experienceโitโs about getting creative with how and where people play.
And with the launch of the free iPlay function on their MyEG app, more than 5,500 people have signed up to give golf a go.
Itโs clear theyโre serious about making the game accessible, even for those whoโve never held a club.
But perhaps the biggest game-changer is iGolf, their program for independent golfers who want an official Handicap Index.
Over 80,000 people have signed up so far, and get thisโ13,000 of them have now transitioned to full club memberships.
Thatโs the beauty of iGolf; it offers a flexible, no-pressure way to get into the game and then see where it takes you.
And letโs not forget the Community Golf Instructor program. England Golf is training a whole new workforce to bring the game to schools, communities, and beginners at local clubs.
These instructors are fully qualified to lead introductory activities, whether theyโre doing it as a job or volunteering.
Itโs about getting more people involved at a grassroots level, making golf more approachable and fun for newbies.
On top of all that, England Golf is tackling sustainability too. Theyโre working closely with clubs to help them future-proof their operationsโbecause the future of golf isnโt just about whoโs playing today, but about making sure thereโs a game to play tomorrow. Theyโre pushing clubs to think about the environment and take the steps needed to ensure the sport can thrive for years to come.
Jeremy Tomlinson, England Golfโs CEO, couldnโt be prouder. He summed it up perfectly: โFor England Golf to be shortlisted for three more prestigious awards is testament to everyone working at the organisation and the incredible volunteers who support good-for-golf initiatives.โ
Tomlinson went on to highlight the importance of making the game accessible to all: โWith over 7 million people playing golf in many formats across the country, we want everyone to feel welcome, at whatever level or environment they wish to play. We believe there is a seamless pathway for people to not just get into golf, but to progress socially and competitively as far as they want in the sport.โ
Heโs not just talking the talk either. England Golf is working hard to change the perception of the sport, making sure itโs seen as something anyone can take part in.
Whether youโre into mini-golf, prefer hitting the driving range, or want to tackle a full 18-hole course, England Golf wants you to knowโyouโre a golfer.
Recent surveys back up what theyโre doing. A 2024 survey found that 86% of golfers play for the social side of things, while 83% do it for the physical and mental health benefits.
Itโs not just about competition; itโs about feeling good, having fun, and being part of something bigger.
As England Golf gears up for the 2024 Sports Business Awards, one thingโs clearโtheyโre not just a governing body; theyโre a force for good in the world of sport.
By making golf more inclusive, accessible, and innovative, theyโre helping ensure the game continues to grow for generations to come.
