The April 13 issue of Global Golf Post looked at ways the game is “chipping in” to help mankind during these difficult days. The issue featured a large company (Loch Lomond in Scotland), a golf society (The Outpost Club), a PGA golf professional and a few golf manufacturers who are doing well by doing good.
It is also important to note that two of the leading golf bodies in America are doing their share to help.
In response to the severe challenges, the Golf Emergency Relief Fund has been established to provide short-term financial assistance to workers in the golf industry, who are the backbone of our sport and face significant financial hardship, including those suffering as a result of COVID-19.
This relief effort was initiated by the PGA of America through a lead pledge of $5 million and a matching fund for gifts by third parties of up to $2.5 million. The PGA contribution included every member of the executive leadership team voluntarily reducing their compensation. Additionally, personal donations from members of the board of directors have been pledged. The effort is also being supported in various ways by a number of industry organizations, including the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, the PGA Tour, the LPGA, the USGA, the National Golf Course Owner’s Association and the Association of Golf Merchandisers.
Managed by E4E Relief, an independent third-party public charity, the fund will provide grants to certain industry workers, inclusive of golf association members, employees of local/state golf associations, caddies and certain professionals playing on developmental tours to help offset pandemic-related financial hardships, such as living and medical expenses.
Further details around eligibility are forthcoming, with applications being accepted at https://relief.golf.
“The golf industry is in an unprecedented crisis, and our friends, colleagues and their families need our help right away,” said PGA president Suzy Whaley. “People throughout golf are driven by a strong desire to help others every day. We have to ensure that the heart and soul of our game – our people – are able to get back on their feet and continue to serve others down the road. Eventually, golf will return, but we first need to reach out and help people in our industry during this national emergency.”
“The golf industry steers $4 billion to charity each year,” added PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh. “Now, we need to come to the aid of those who make this game we love so special, to help ensure their livelihood. Our leadership team is so passionate about this that each has volunteered to take a substantial reduction from their own compensation to support the PGA’s efforts. With matching, our goal is to raise at least $10 million for this important effort.
“The Golf Emergency Relief Fund is designed to assist those who need our help right away. These associations and their respective members run the game locally across the country, and the players seeking to make a career at the highest level are at the heart of the dream. These are the people who are the backbone of making sure our game continues to thrive. Supporting them through this difficult time is not only the human thing, but it is also the smart thing to do to ensure our industry rebounds quickly.”
Individuals eligible to apply for aid through the Golf Emergency Relief Fund are:
- PGA of America professionals (includes members, students and associates),LPGA professionals (includes members and students/apprentices);
- GCSAA members;
- those employed or contracted as a caddie at one of the following caddie companies (qualifying employers and their subsidiaries) CaddieNow, CaddieMaster, 4C Caddies, Premier Caddies, ClubUp, CaddieU, Circuit Caddie and Caddy King;
- AGM members and players in developmental tours operated by the PGA Tour (Korn Ferry Tour, PGA Tour Latinoamérica, Mackenzie Tour – PGA Tour Canada, PGA Tour China Series);
- players in developmental tours operated by the LPGA (Symetra Tour);
- employees of USGA-authorized Allied Golf Associations;
- employees of PGA of America sections, and NGCOA members.
Last week, in an effort to continue to serve the game at the grassroots level and provide immediate financial support to golf communities in need, the USGA established an emergency relief fund for its 59 allied association members with an investment of up to $5 million.
The funding will come in the form of grants to help ensure business continuity and staffing levels during this time of hardship. Individual AGAs may apply for up to $100,000; additional financial assistance will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The application process began on April 13 and will continue through the summer as needed. The USGA is committed to providing additional funding should the business disruption be prolonged.
“These golf associations are the backbone of the recreational and competitive golf communities at the local, state and regional level,” said Mike Davis, CEO of the USGA. “They play a vital role not only in delivering the USGA’s core services, but also in engaging millions of golfers across the country at the local level. This support will help enable the game to make a strong return once it’s safe to do so.”
Many of these golf associations are experiencing temporary hardships due to the COVID-19 pandemic as golf events are postponed and member golfers, abiding by governmental and health directives, are staying off the course during the crucial spring season.
AGAs operate in all 50 states and function as mission-driven nonprofit organizations. They conduct events that welcome and connect juniors, women and players of all ages, backgrounds and abilities; educate countless golf professionals, officials and players; advocate for golf courses; and provide affordable opportunities to play.
The USGA partners with its network of AGAs to deliver key golf resources and programs at the regional level, including conducting more than 600 qualifiers for 14 open and amateur championships and providing Rules of Golf education. AGAs also serve as the only golf associations authorized by the USGA to offer a Handicap Index to golfers, and support USGA initiatives to grow and sustain the game.
Many of these golf associations are experiencing temporary hardships due to the COVID-19 pandemic as golf events are postponed and member golfers, abiding by governmental and health directives, are staying off the course during the crucial spring season.
More than any other sport in the world, the game of golf has charity woven into its DNA. And that is in normal times. This moment in time is anything but normal, but the game does what it always does: help mankind.