R&A Foundation and JGA Announce Strategic Partnership

St Andrews, Scotland/Tokyo, Japan: The R&A Foundation and the Japan Golf Association (JGA) have announced the signing of a new strategic partnership aimed at supporting the promotion and development of golf in Japan, the development of promising next-generation talent, and the advancement and sustainability of golf as a long-term sport.

Under this partnership, The R&A Foundation and the JGA will work together to promote philanthropic activities and exchange expertise, supporting the planning and implementation of the following five programmes: 

1.    Accessibility (Ease of Participation)
Provide opportunities to participate in golf through investment in facilities/programmes.

2.    Sustainability (Environmental Sustainability)
Understand golf’s impact on the environment.

3.    Health
Programmes and research that seek to improve people’s health through golf.

4.    Heritage (History and Tradition)
Preserve and pass on golf culture, history, traditions, and assets.

5.    Talent (Human Potential)
Unlock people’s possibilities and talent through golf.

These efforts are based on the R&A Foundation’s mission to ‘create good for golf and good through golf’.

The partnership seeks to implement and support projects worldwide that transform people’s lives and communities through golf. These initiatives are already underway in more than 20 countries, in collaboration with national golf associations.

The JGA has also endorsed the purpose and agreed to partner.

This partnership will bring together individual donors, corporate partners, and charitable organisations in Japan and abroad, with the goal of supporting the future of golf in Japan. It is also aligned with the ‘Donor Model (donor community)’, which has supported the R&A Foundation’s growth over the past three years.

Mark Darbon, Chief Executive Officer, The R&A, said: “Our partnership with the Japan Golf Association is an important step in strengthening the work of the R&A Foundation in Asia.

“By working together, we can broaden access to golf, nurture new talent, advance sustainability, and support programmes that create ‘good for golf and good through golf’ for communities across Japan.”

Kazuhiro Tsuga, JGA Chairman, said: “At the JGA, we have always worked with close ties to the R&A, focusing on the promotion of the Rules of Golf, the development of referees, and the promotion of golf.

“Through this strategic partnership with the R&A Foundation, we are pleased to be able to further advance the golf promotion and development activities in Japan that the JGA conducts pursuant to its Articles of Incorporation, and to contribute more effectively to improving the health of the public and to raising awareness of golf culture through golf.

“With the co-operation and support of the R&A Foundation, the JGA would like to play a role in leading the promotion of golf not only in Japan, but also across the Asia-Pacific region.”