Alison Nicholas MBE, former US Open Champion and Solheim Cup European Team Captain for 2009 and 2011, is joined by LET leading lights Rebecca Hudson, Felicity Johnson, Samantha Head and Johanna Mundy in demonstrating their support for Golf Roots.
Golf Roots is the overarching name for all the initiatives in clubs, driving ranges, communities and cities which are run by leading golf charity the Golf Foundation. Golf Roots enjoys strong support from, among others, The R&A, The European Tour and The Ryder Cup Trust.
The excellent news follows recent announcements that Olympic gold medallist Denise Lewis, European Number 1 golfer Lee Westwood and respected BBC golf broadcaster Ken Brown have also become official Ambassadors, joining with popular BBC radio presenter DJ Spoony to form a growing team of celebrity names who want to help promote grass roots junior golf.
In its support of the national golf partnerships of England, Scotland and Wales, the Golf Foundation wants to encourage more girls to take up golf at every opportunity. It is hoped the association with leading professional women golfers and Denise Lewis will further this objective.
Alison Nicholas said: “We were all delighted to sign up as Golf Roots Ambassadors. Golf Roots aims to make golf more accessible to all youngsters and I think that is something every golfer should support.
“We all relied on help when starting out in golf and we should all put something back into the sport. I hope that one or two Golf Roots girls may one day be playing in the European Solheim Cup team!”
Mike Round, Chief Executive of the Golf Foundation, said: “To have this support for Golf Roots from Alison, Rebecca, Felicity, Sam and Jo is absolutely tremendous.
“Children need opportunity, encouragement and a welcome when they start their golf and good role models are important. I have no doubt that our growing team of Golf Roots Ambassadors can help us to reinforce the Golf Roots message that golf is for everyone.”
Popular radio presenter DJ Spoony was the first Ambassador for Golf Roots and has flown the flag for the project since the very beginning. He remains passionate about introducing new youngsters to the sport.
Golf Roots has ambitious targets, including by 2013: a major Golf Roots project in every county; golf activity in every school sport partnership; reaching one million children per year; an increase in the number of children playing at clubs, and the creation of £10 million investment in grass roots junior golf.
The Golf Foundation www.golf-foundation.org
Pics Alison, Sam and Rebecca