The Ryder Cup European Development Trust (RCEDT) was set up in order to support golf at grass roots level throughout Europe, aiming to get more people starting to play golf, continuing to play and ultimately succeeding in the game.
The RCEDT uses its share of the nett profits from European Ryder Cup Matches to contribute to golf projects across the continent, reflecting the vastly international reach of the event and providing the opportunity to give back to the sport.
The Trust was created in 2004 when a new Ryder Cup Europe agreement was drawn up to involve the PGAs of Europe through the vehicle of the RCEDT, creating a 20/20/60 split alongside the PGA of Great Britain & Ireland and the European Tour.
Since then, the Trust has supported upwards of 25 projects with a fund of over £2.2 million being awarded to projects ranging from free lessons at European Tour events, disabled golf initiatives and junior and educational programmes.
EXAMPLE PROJECTS
Portuguese Golf Federation – Project Drive
The Drive Project aims to take golf to all schools within a 15 km radius of a golf facility; be it a golf course, driving range or pitch & putt.
The program is formalised in the form of a protocol with the school, the golf course and the Portuguese Golf Federation and, in some cases, the local municipality. The Portuguese Golf Federation then provide equipment and education to the physical education teachers.
Golf courses are requested to allow the students and teachers the use of their facilities and to provide further education to teachers and coaching to students, and in some cases provide special memberships for them.
Find out more here – Portuguese Golf Federation.
The Robert Kalkman Foundation
Founded in 2007 by former Dutch international football player Robert Kalkman, himself a cancer survivor, the foundation supports children with cancer and/or a physical limitation and encourages them to find a new passion in life by playing golf. Robert’s aim is to provide a sporting challenge to these children, to offer them the chance to have fun within sport.
The foundation organises golf clinics across the country each year, both outdoors on different golf courses and indoors with a golf simulator. Each golf clinic has the goal of giving the children a totally unforgettable day. PGA professionals assist Robert in giving the golf clinics and, where necessary, the children are transported to and from hospital in order to attend.
Find out more here – Robert Kalkman Foundation.
APPLICATIONS
Applications for funding can be received at any time to the Trust and are reviewed at bi-annual Board of Trustee meetings.
For application submissions and queries contact info@rctrust.co.uk.
