The USGA has confirmed that it will give out as much as $5-million in grants to aid the cause of its 59 Allied Golf Associations.
Lockdown diaries: Oliver Bekker
The emergency relief fund will help the state and regional associations who take care of the game with the money to be used to maintain business continuity and staffing level.
Individual associations will be able to apply for as much as $100 000 in relief in the first round.
‘These golf associations are the backbone of the recreational and competitive golf communities at the local, state and regional level,’ USGA CEO Mike Davis said in the statement.
‘They play a vital role not only in delivering the USGA’s core services, but also in engaging millions of golfers across the country at the local level. This support will help enable the game to make a strong return once it’s safe to do so.’
The associations ‘conduct events that welcome and connect juniors, women and players of all ages, backgrounds and abilities; educate countless golf professionals, officials and players; advocate for golf courses; and provide affordable opportunities to play.’
The associations also stage more than 600 qualifiers for the 14 USGA Open and amateur championships.
Due to the coronavirus, the USGA has canceled the U.S. Amateur Four-Ball for men and women, and moved the U.S. Open to September, and the U.S. Women’s Open to December.
