Author: Tom Bentley
Posted on: 9th Oct 2021
This article is available in The Insider by CPG magazine, click here to download your digital copy.
Brands are acutely aware of the need to give back to society in a variety of different ways and as a socially responsible business, there has never been a better opportunity to support a cause in golf than the Ryder Cup European Development Trust.
What is the RCEDT?
The RCEDT is a registered charity that supports the development and progression of golf throughout Europe by assisting and guiding various projects, initiatives and programmes in the sport.
It was formed as part of a three-way partnership within Ryder Cup Europe, comprising the European Tour as its managing partner, the PGA of Great Britain & Ireland as its founding partner, and the CPG through the vehicle of the Trust. It continues to ensure that the Ryder Cup invests back into the game and plays a significant role in the ongoing development of golf across the continent.
As sole partner of the Trust, the CPG, which has over 30 years’ expertise in the provision of golf development expertise and delivery on a global basis, is responsible for the control and management of the RCEDT.
Why was the RCEDT set up?
The RCEDT was created in order to allow the Ryder Cup to put even more back into grass roots golf across Europe. The idea of the Trust is to get more people starting to play golf, continuing to play and ultimately succeeding in the game.
Samuel Ryder started the Ryder Cup in 1927, and after some 65 years of the competition being under the ownership of the PGA of GB&I, the event was then run as a joint venture with The European Tour. In 2004, a new Ryder Cup agreement was drawn up to involve the CPG as sole member of the Ryder Cup European Development Trust, with the European Tour becoming the managing partner.
How does the RCEDT support golf development?
The RCEDT maintains a core focus on 10 pillars of activity, through which its support sees benefit: Participation, Education, Coaching, Junior and Youth, Elite and High Performance, Inclusivity, Improving and Enhancing Lives, Promotion of Golf, Insights, and Sustainability.
The Trust has supported a wide range of projects across Europe, including free lessons at European Tour events, junior golf programmes, disabled golf, educational programmes and more. In all cases, whether large or small, money from the Ryder Cup European Development Trust is being used for the development and growth of the game from grassroots right through to elite levels.
As a result, the Trust’s impact has been considerable and far reaching for golf in Europe. Just recently, Team Europe’s victory in the Solheim Cup – delivered by a team with international representation from no less than eight European nations – was testament to the support provided by the Trust over the years, as well as to the work of many European Federations and PGAs who have contributed to the development and success of each player.
The RCEDT: support your CSR goals.
As a registered charity that supports grassroots golf programmes and golf development projects, your businesses’ support of the Trust will create significant social development opportunities through golf and provide thousands of people from across a diverse range of backgrounds with the chance to participate throughout Europe. The legacy of the RCEDT is unwavering; the impact its support has is far-reaching; the mutual benefit of your involvement will be profound.
