This article is available in The Insider by CPG magazine, click here to download your digital copy.
The CPG is committed to ensuring golf is a sport for all, irrespective of gender, ethnicity, ability, age and background.
LISTEN: The Diversity and Inclusion Panel
The CPG are currently working with EDGA (formerly the European Disabled Golf Association) in an effort to improve the sport for people from disabled backgrounds. EDGA are a not-for-profit, volunteer-run organisation that aims to increase opportunities for disabled people to sample, participate and compete in golf, and provides advice surrounding disabled golf to a variety of golf’s governing bodies.
The organisation was founded in 2000, growing substantially to incorporate 20 national federations, with members located across the globe. Focusing on growing the game, the organisation has designed and implemented coach education programmes for rehabilitation centres, hospitals and golf clubs. All of these initiatives are available to its members, as are protocols for tournament administration, definitions of impairment, and other resources to help grow the numbers of golfers with disability around the world.
At the 2020 CPG Annual Congress, listeners were fortunate to have EDGA President, Tony Bennett, attend for the panel session on Diversity and Inclusion. Tony’s invaluable insights were eye-opening and informative such as the issue of unconscious bias, and how through the handicap system, golf has the potential to be the most inclusive of all sports.
The CPG are also committed to improving increased participation and membership opportunities for women’s golf. In 2018, the organisation marked this commitment by signing The R&A’s Women in Golf Charter, a global initiative that has gained significant support and momentum from across the golfing world, with over 50 federations, 30 organisations and PGAs, and numerous other golf facilities, making their own pledge to further the women’s game.
This work was recognised at the 2020 Annual Congress when it was awarded with the CPG’s President’s Award, accepted by The R&A’s Assistant Director of Golf Development Jackie Davidson, on behalf of The R&A.
CPG Chief Executive, Ian Randell, reiterated the importance of change, saying “The R&A’s leadership is so important in driving change in our sport to ensure that it becomes more accessible, appealing and inclusive and we congratulate them on this initiative. It is a great example of how golf’s national and international organisations are increasing collaboration by collectively getting behind significant initiatives and programmes around the globe.
“Having made our own Women in Golf pledge at the time of launch and encouraged our Member PGAs to do likewise, we recognise the importance of the Charter, and support its goal of encouraging women across all levels and backgrounds to enjoy golf and thrive within the sport.”
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