RCEDT Supports Faldo Project in Russia
The ‘Faldo Series’, organised in the name of the newly knighted No.1 European Ryder Cup star, has joined the growing list of initiatives across Europe to be supported by funding from the Ryder Cup European Development Trust.
At a recent meeting of the RCEDT it was agreed by trustees that they were prepared to consider ‘working with’ the series of junior tournaments organised in the name of the living legend, now Sir Nick, who played in 46 Ryder Cup matches and won 25 of them.
This possibly lengthier relationship teed off in mid-June with a grant towards the staging of the second annual Faldo Series Russia Championship held at Le Meridien Moscow Country Club with a field which had doubled in size from the inaugural tournament 12 months earlier.
All of the participants received seminars and one-on-one tutelage with Faldo’s own coach, Keith Wood. Also, a group of fifty local schoolchildren and university students (aged 4 – 21) were invited to the tournament to receive an introduction to the sport.
Now consideration will be given to supplying further RCEDT grants, for similar tournaments in other countries, dependent upon the success of the Russian project and the extent to which the series coincides with the Trust Fund’s remit to fund ‘grass root schemes’..
“I’m delighted that this year’s Faldo Series Russia Championship was such a resounding success,” said the 2008 Ryder Cup Captain.
“The fact that we have managed to grow there in such a short time is further confirmation of the potential for golf development in the region.
Ian Randell of the Ryder Cup European Development Trust added: “Growing and developing golf is at the heart of the Ryder Cup European Development Trust and we are delighted to be able to offer financial support to the Faldo Series with their activities to do just that.
“The growth in numbers competing in the event provide a clear indication of its success and we look forward to the prospect of adding our support in other countries in the future.”
