Golf events and development initiatives in countries ranging from Bhutan to Ecuador to Zambia are set to benefit from the latest series of grants and loans announced by The R&A. These include international amateur events in Africa, Asia, Europe and South America.

In announcing the latest awards, Duncan Weir, The R&A's Director of Golf Development said: "The R&A is committed to promoting and developing golf both nationally and internationally through funding derived entirely from the annual surplus generated by The Open Championship. This aim will continue as we seek to encourage the expansion of the game throughout our sphere of governance."

Recipient
Support

Arab Golf Federation
£10,000 towards the 2005 Pan Arab Championships being played in Egypt in December

Bhutan Youth Golf Association
£3,000 annually towards junior coaching for three years

Carnoustie Golf Links
£2,500 annually towards junior programme for three years

Chilean Golf Federation
£12,000 annually towards junior development for two years

Chinese Taipei Golf Association
£5,000 towards men's international amateur team event involving Taipei, Japan and Korea

Colombian Golf Federation
$5,000 US towards the 2005 South American Pre Junior Championships

Czech Golf Federation
£25,000 towards the 2006 St Andrews and Jacques Leglise Trophy matches

Ecuador Golf Federation
£25,000 towards the 2005 Copa los Andes being played in Ecuador in November. This is the annual South American men's and women's international amateur team championship

English Blind Golf Association
£2,000 towards 2005 training programme

European Disabled Golf Association
£5,000 annually towards championships for three years

European Golf Association
£18,000 towards the 2005 European Young Masters being played in Austria in July

Israel Golf Federation
£3,000 annually towards junior programme for three years

Ladies' Golf Union
£25,000 towards research project into women's golf

Men's Home Unions
£11,000 each towards participation in the 2005 Boys' Home Internationals

National Association of Public Golf Courses
£13,000 towards 2005 adult and junior championships

Paul Lawrie Junior Golf Programme
£5,000 annually towards junior work for three years

Rwanda Golf Union
£5,000 towards men's international amateur team event involving Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda

St Andrews Links Trust
£1,000,000 loan towards course number 7, due to open in 2007

Scottish Association of Local Sports Councils
£1,000 towards national championship

Uganda Golf Union
£10,000 towards biennial All African men's international amateur team event

Zambia Ladies' Golf Union
£25,000 towards biennial All African ladies' international amateur team event

Media Contact:
Duncan Weir, Director of Golf Development
Alison White, Golf Development Officer
The R&A
Tel: 01334 460000