Golf News: Gareth Bale has decided to join The R&A as a worldwide ambassador in support of the organization’s efforts to encourage new audiences throughout the world to take up golf.
Gareth Bale will appear alongside Niall Horan and Modest Mouse! Golf is supporting a campaign to attract more people to play golf, particularly women and young people, by leveraging the power of sports and entertainment figures to extend its appeal and improve its image.
“Gareth’s love for golf is apparent for everyone to see,” stated Phil Anderton, chief development officer at The R&A. “He will play a significant role in promoting the new golfer projects we are working on with Modest!” This year, we plan to introduce golf.
“We want to reach new audiences who aren’t yet aware of golf’s many great benefits, such as health and wellbeing, and we believe that role models like Gareth can help inspire more women and young people to participate in the sport, as well as improve golf’s reputation among millions of fans around the world. We believe this method has significant promise, and we’re attempting to obtain similar agreements with additional male and female influencers.”
The Real Madrid and Wales international, who has collected over 100 million social media followers during his illustrious career, is a two-handicap golfer who has previously spoken about his passion for the sport.
Bale, who is also a partner in ICM Stellar Sports’ golf branch, said: “Golf is a fantastic sport, and I’ve always wanted to encourage more people to participate in it. The R&A has taken a bold step forward, and I’m honoured to be able to contribute to their efforts to encourage people of all ages to try golf.”
The relationship builds on The R&A’s decision to commission Modest! Golf to work on designing a number of future grassroots programmes targeted at attracting and retaining more people to golf.
Golf is being played in record numbers all around the world
According to figures released by The R&A and Sports Marketing Surveys (SMS) towards the end of 2021, golf has seen considerable growth in popularity worldwide since 2016, with more than 5.5 million new players joining the sport.
In a five-year period, the total number of golfers worldwide climbed from 61 million to 66.6 million, exceeding the previous high of 61.6 million achieved in 2012. In markets where course availability is limited, the metric comprises club members and non-member independent golfers playing nine or 18 holes, as well as users of driving ranges.
Golf’s popularity grew due to golfers being able to socially distance themselves in a safe outdoor setting while staying active to boost their physical and mental health, according to research. Golf’s popularity grew before Covid-19 and then accelerated during the pandemic as the popularity of golf grew due to golfers being able to socially distance themselves in a safe outdoor setting while staying active to boost their physical and mental health.
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