TICIPATION ON THE RISE
The WGF was one of the groups that lobbied to get the sport back into the Olympics , and believed the Games would be the one thing that would do more to grow the game and create a greater interest in the game world-wide than any other thing the organisation could achieve .
“ What we ’ ve observed by watching how other sports really have taken a nice bounce … off of their Olympic exposure , is if young people can watch these great athletes from their country do well in the Olympics on television , then they ’ ll be more likely to wanting to emulate them ,” Mona said ahead of the event last year .
“ We believe the Olympics is going to inspire young people who are already playing the game to replicate what they see these athletes do on TV and compete at a higher level . One day , they may also be standing on an Olympic podium .”
And even thought the flagship event didn ’ t start off quite the triumph many had hoped , faced with no-shows from several of the world ’ s top players , numbers are indicating that events like the Olympic Games , with wide-ranging media coverage , might have a positive effect on the younger generation .
Ahead of the upcoming Olympic event in Japan 2020 , Mona said the WGF ’ s expected both the men ’ s and women ’ s competitions to “ carry more importance and prestige ”, adding it would be unlikely that top male players would elect not to compete again in 2020 .
Mona also mentioned the further expansion of Topgolf and similar golf-entertainment venues , the continued growth of golf ’ s junior player-development programs , and the emergence of PGA and LPGA Tour stars , to have helped create a legion of young fans .
“ Golf offers many initiatives to promote the game and increase participation on an international scale ,” he said . “ Golf will look more like society generally looks in 20 years . It will have greater participation than it does today among women , minorities , millennials and juniors ,”
“ It ’ s encouraging that the industry ’ s junior growth-of-thegame programs are unified and experiencing significant growth .”
In the U . S , the WGF is working continuously to grow the sport , and has through their youth initiative The First Tee , an organisation introducing the game of golf and its inherent values to young people , reached more than nine million young people since its creation in 1997 .
The network has grown to more than 175 chapters offering programs at 1,000 golf locations and 9,000- plus elementary schools in-school as part of physical education requirements . It recently launched a new afterschool program in partnership with other youth-serving organisations .
ABOUT WGF & STEVE MONA
The World Golf Foundation was formed in1994 with a mission to unite the golf industry in support of initiatives aspiring to grow the game , and to make the sport accessible around the world while preserving its ’ traditional values .
Steve Mona has served as the foundation ’ s Chief Executive Officer since early 2008 , following an established career record of serving the industry including tournament director of the Northern California Golf Association in 1980-82 and assistant manager of press relations for the United States Golf Association from January 1982-83 , at which time he became executive director of the Georgia State Golf Association .
Before commencing his role with the WGF , Mona also served as the CEO of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America ( GCSAA ). In Mona ' s position at the WGF , his responsibilities include overall management of the Foundation , as well as overseeing the Foundation ' s industry relationships and ongoing global focus .
SPORTING SCHOOLS PROGRAM STATISTICS
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