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Norman
Fletcher flys the flag
11 June 2004
2020 VISION FOR ENGLISH
GOLF
Golf has won the government’s backing in a new
development initiative funded by Sport England, as
one of the nation’s top ten sports.
Under the umbrella of the England
Golf Partnership, three major governing bodies have
joined forces to form a unique partnership that will
be responsible for taking the game to a new level
by 2020.
This is the first time that The
Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA), English
Golf Union (EGU) and English Ladies Golf Association
(ELGA) have come together in such a way, and will
be working in conjunction with Sport England to maximize
opportunities and meet the challenges facing the game.
This exciting new joint venture
is solely concerned with the development of a national
Sport Plan for golf, and aims to communicate more
effectively throughout the game with ‘one voice’.
Heading the new venture as chairman
is Norman Fletcher, deputy chief executive of the
PGA who has been appointed by the English Golf Partnership
to develop ‘The Vision for Golf in England’.
In order to fulfill this extensive and time-consuming
new role Norman has been seconded to the position
since April on the basis of three days a week until
the end of the year.
As he explained: “2004 sees
the start of a new era for golf in England and the
chance to increase and widen participation levels
in the game. We are in the process of developing a
vision for golf and the strategy which will make that
vision a reality.
2020 VISION FOR ENGLISH
GOLF/2
“It is our intention to create
a framework that other nations will follow, but this
can only succeed through a joined-up strategic approach
and with consultation and dialogue with all of golf’s
stakeholders.”
The main thrust of the campaign
will be focused on providing more opportunities and
reasons for participants to start, stay and succeed
in the game. Extensive research will be commissioned
to provide critical benchmarking data from which to
evaluate future activities and targets.
The whole of the game will be scrutinized
and address such issues as its image and the need
for golf to be seen as ‘cool’, to establishing
innovative solutions which increase participation
and overcome its perception as expensive and time
consuming. The values of club membership will also
be included in the plan in view of the growing number
of ‘clubless’ players.
In terms of timing, details of
the framework for the Vision are expected to be finalised
and available within the next two months with the
publication of the Sport Plan for Golf at the end
of the year.
Issued on behalf of England Golf
Partnership by Quantum PR plc
Media contacts: Anne Parry or Fay Cavey-Wilcox
Quantum PR plc: 0121 633 7775
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