Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Troon International golf clubs around the world are continuing their efforts to increase participation in golf and encourage people to ‘get outside and give golf a go’.

This month is especially poignant as May is designated as being Troon Player Development Month at Troon-affiliated facilities around the world.

Initiatives to enhance accessibility to the game of golf include clinics for people with disabilities, events geared specifically to women, and fun junior programmes that highlight both the benefits and the enjoyment the sport has to a diverse range of potential players.

At the beginning of 2022, Vattanac Golf Resort in Cambodia launched its first Junior Golf programme in the country, led by PGA and US Kids certified professional David Lamprecht.

Since the opening of the resort in 2019, the club has striven to grow the game in Cambodia and provide access programmes to families.

The first step towards this goal was a world class golf academy, which opened in 2021. Since then many ‘Grow the Game’ initiatives have taken place at Vattanac Golf Resort, including the country’s first family tournament, co-operation with local schools, a ladies golf programme as well as the launch of an official junior golf programme.

The famously scenic Ocean Course at The Els Club Malaysia on the Desaru Coast has also been innovative in its approach to attracting more people to the game. For example, in October 2021, the facility launched Footgolf. The initiative has proved popular, attracting over 600 people in just six months.

In the Middle East, Egypt’s Madinaty Golf Club and the UAE’s Yas Links Abu Dhabi and Al Hamra Golf Club have been focused on ensuring equitable access to golf for all members of their respective communities.

Activities have included weekly lessons for disabled people at Al Hamra Golf Club, with a professional coach teaching over 20 golfers at a time in a structured lesson programme. Yas Links Abu Dhabi has partnered with the UAE Special Olympics Golf team to become the training base for their development programme ahead of the 2023 Berlin Special Olympic Summer Games.

Madinaty Golf Club in Cairo has undertaken a series of monthly events which look to grow the game with women and juniors. Through the Girls Go Golf initiative, the club has introduced over 300 ladies to the game which offers beginner clinics and tournament options and gets women involved in the golf club through fun initiatives and activities such as yoga and coffee mornings.

The Junior Programme has seen 50 youngsters enjoy complimentary coaching with the first semester of the programme starting last month. ‘Grow the Game’ activities are a key element of the club’s strategy around engaging new golfers from the local residential community in which the club sits.

Kendall Murphy, Director – Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Troon, said: “Troon is committed to enhancing the accessibility of golf for all individuals. These initiatives allow us to make this great game more diverse and inclusive worldwide.”

Royal Greens Golf & Country Club has been using the latest generation of Starting New At Golf equipment in order to attract juniors to the game. Better-known as SNAG, the programme includes all the basics of golf, helping to teach beginners and build-up their skills. SNAG has become popular globally, due to the fact that it can be played both indoors and outdoors.

Commenting on the work done by golf clubs operating under Troon’s International division, Mark Chapleski, Executive Vice-President of Troon International, said: “Since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, we have seen a huge increase in the amount of people interested in golf around the globe.

“Golf is a popular sport for those who want to learn new skills, whilst remaining physically active, accessing the outdoors and socialising with friends and family.

“That is why at Troon we want to welcome as many new faces as possible at our golf courses and inspire in them, a new-found love for the game. We hope men, women, parents and juniors will join all us to play golf, enjoy the outdoors together and appreciate the companionship that golf provides. So, make sure to look up your local club and to get involved!”

Troon is an Executive Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation while Vattanac Golf Resort, The Els Club Malaysia and Al Hamra Golf Club are all Facility Members.