Since 2003, the European Tour has been arranging and supporting golf development activities at European Tour, Seniors Tour and Challenge Tour events. With funding from the Ryder Cup European Development Trust in 2009, this programme of events extended to cover three events in the UK and 10 overseas.

Working with the national PGAs/governing bodies throughout Europe, The European Tour offer free golf lessons with PGA professionals to all spectators, at selected events, using inflatable nets, usually within the tented village. By involving the local PGAs/governing bodies, the hope is when people try the game, they can then receive information on where to go to develop their game or play further, thereby growing the number of participants within that country.

Such activities are always hugely popular, offering the opportunity for over 1,000 people per event to get free help and advice from a PGA professional. The lessons available are for both adults and children, and serve to develop the game of golf throughout Europe, particularly in countries where golf may not necessarily be the main sporting activity. Coupled with free entry to such events for children, this is an ideal way for anyone to receive an introduction to the game and for spectators who already play golf to receive a few tips and advice from a PGA professional.

Funding from the Ryder Cup European Development Trust enables the European Tour to expand its programme of events, to include both overseas events and those at Ryder Cup home venues – Celtic Manor (2010 venue) and Gleneagles (2014 venue).

Such a scheme also allows the Trust to offer a ‘multi-national’ spread of funding, rather than the traditional ‘one country’ funding previously delivered across Europe.