The R&A has partnered with Modest! Golf, founded by former One Direction member Niall Horan, to try and get more young people playing golf.
The R&A has appointed the golf management company to work on designing and developing a series of future grassroots programmes aimed at inspiring more young people to give golf a try, and also encourage them to stay in the game throughout their lives.
Why did the R&A choose Modest! Golf?
As well as being backed by a member of arguably the biggest boyband in the world (unless you were born in the Take That generation of course), Modest! Golf manages some of the biggest names on the professional golf circuit.
This includes LPGA star Leona Maguire, Ladies European Tour player Olivia Cowan and finally, the hoodie-loving 'angry golfer', Tyrrell Hatton.
The company, founded in 2016 by Niall and Mark McDonnell, also promotes inclusivity in golf through organising renowned events like the mixed gender ISPS Handa World Invitational and the Horan & Rose charity tournament which has so far raised over £2 million for children’s charities across the world.
A powerful influence
The new programmes with the R&A will be launched later this year and they will 'offer fun and accessible formats of the sport that are more in tune with how today’s generation uses its leisure time'.
Let's hope that means less rules and much quicker formats!
The campaign will use the power of 'influencers' from across the golfing and entertainment worlds to try and make golf look more fun and cool.
27-year-old Niall, who has previously caddied for Rory McIlroy, said: “I am so proud to work alongside The R&A in developing programmes to encourage and inspire more young people to play the game of golf. It is something my company Modest! Golf is hugely passionate about and I am honoured that the chief executive Martin Slumbers, Phil Anderton and The R&A are entrusting my agency to help drive the game forward.
“The R&A has a long legacy within the game and I look forward to helping to create new and modern initiatives to showcase to the younger generation just what a great sport golf is.”
With Niall's passion for golf, experience in the golf industry and perhaps most importantly, a his position as a powerful idol for young people across the world, we're sure that he and the rest of the Modest! team will do an amazing job.
Watch Niall's interview above to find out more or visit www.modestgolf.com.
