How Faldo Series has Helped Grow Golf in Russia
An enthusiastic group of nearly 150 local children recently took part in a series of clinics during the Faldo Series Russia Championship, staged at the impressive Le Meridien Moscow Country Club.
The clinics, conducted by Sir Nick Faldo’s coach, Keith Wood, and a number of local professionals, including Anastasia Kostina, who plays on the Duramed Futures Tour in America, were designed to give the group of young Russians their first taste of golf as part of a series of grass roots activities staged during this year’s Faldo Series events in Europe and in Asia.
A number of the events in Europe are supported by the Ryder Cup European Development Trust and other local benefactors and are part of the Faldo Series’ goal to attract youngsters of all ages, backgrounds and nationalities into the game.
“In 1996, when we established the Faldo Series, the goal was to nurture new generations of young champions. This has proved successful with Faldo Series graduates like Rory McIlroy, Nick Dougherty, Marc Warren, Yani Tseng, Melissa Reid and Florentyna Parker, all going on to win at Tour level,” said Sir Nick Faldo, the six-time Major winner.
“Since 1996 around 10,000 children have taken part in our clinics and other grass-roots activities and, with the help of our partners that number continues to grow all the time.”
John Yapp, secretary of the Ryder Cup European Development Trust commented: “The Trust is delighted to support the Faldo Series activities in Russia in conjunction with the Russian Golf Federation and its other projects elsewhere.
“The objective of our charity is to increase the participation in golf and the profile that the Faldo Series provides us is a great assist to the sustainable development of the game by the Russian Golf Association in its work with the PGA and the PGAs of Europe.”
