England Golf and Sky team up together to try and boost the participation level of the sport after Danny Willet’s victory at the Master’s.
There were five Englishmen in the top 10 of the Masters including Lee Westwood, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Paul Casey, Justin Rose and of course champion Danny Willet.
Chief executive of England Golf Nick Pink told Sky Sports: “It is a tremendous opportunity for us to maximise the reach of Danny Willett’s great victory, and we need to hang on the coat tails of that Green Jacket and start to inspire the next generation
“We launched on Tuesday in partnership with Sky – as our media partner – and the Get into Golf programme which has been running for just over a year.
“It’s all about increasing player and coaching opportunities for those at grassroots level to participate in golf.
“We’ve seen a drop in numbers over the last 10 years but that has started to stabilise over the last year to 18 months.
“There is a stereotype about the game and we hope by having Sky as a media partner will help change that.
“But you saw Danny on Sunday, interacting on Skype and Twitter, and the interest we’ve had since Sunday has all come through social media helped by Danny and his brother.
“His brother took to Twitter and social media also and got a lot of profile in recent days.
“There is also our Golf Express in Staffordshire, a pilot scheme, which is getting people playing alternative formats, nine holes, 12 holes, at lunchtime, after work, and that has been successful.
“We’re running a lot of girls’ initiatives, to encourage girls and young women into the sport.
“Sport England has done the same and there are a lot of clubs up and down the country trying to engage new people and change the perception of golf.”
