The R&A

We are helping connect the digital and physical golf worlds though a new Active Play event on popular gaming platform Roblox, exclusively for Indonesian players ⛳️ Working with Topgolf, The R&A and The Gang are transferring players from in-game virtual play to real-world play at a new Topgolf facility recently opened in Jakarta, and the first one in Indonesia. Find out more here 👉 https://lnkd.in/gB6Jgtue

We have agreed a new 11-year partnership with The Scottish Government and VisitScotland who will contribute a combined £11 million towards staging The Open, AIG Women’s Open and the Senior Open in Scotland between 2024-2034 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿⛳️ The announcement coincides with the results of an independent study commissioned by The R&A which show that The 152nd Open at Royal Troon generated over £303.3 million in total economic benefit for Scotland. More here 👉 https://lnkd.in/eg4_Ac8Y

Golf organisations in Dubai will come together to offer activities as part of this year’s Dubai Fitness Challenge (DFC), a free month-long celebration of fitness and wellness ⛳ In a pilot programme, the Golf Is Good x Dubai Fitness Challenge, supported by The R&A and Emirates Golf Federation, will offer 135 activities across nine venues throughout DFC from 26 October to 24 November 2024. Find out more here 👉 https://lnkd.in/eb9YsQsM

Wenyi Ding has topped the inaugural Global Amateur Pathway Ranking, earning a DP World Tour exemption for the 2025 season. The Global Amateur Pathway – powered by WAGR® – was launched by the DP World Tour, PGA TOUR and The R&A to help the very best male amateur players take the next step in their careers.  The landmark initiative has created a pathway for non-collegiate amateur players on to the DP World Tour and partner Tours around the world. In all, the inaugural Global Amateur Pathway Ranking awarded professional membership to nine players across four partner Tours, with those players representing six different nationalities. Find out more here 👉 go.randa.org/WenyiDingGAP

One of the most widely respected figures in golf, David Rickman, today retires from The R&A after 37 years of employment. As an expert Rules official, he has remarkably refereed at over 130 prestigious events in the world of golf. Continuing our blog series with R&A staff, we sat down with David to take a trip down memory lane... ⛳️

Congratulations to China’s Wenyi Ding on his win at Japan’s Taiheiyo Club Gotemba last week ⛳️ We are looking forward to the 16th edition of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in Dubai next year.

New participation figures show an increase of more than three million adult golfers playing the sport. According to new research, there are now 42.7 million on-course golfers (9 and 18-hole) in R&A affiliated markets (outside the USA and Mexico). The research figures for 2023 indicate a growth of 3.1 million on-course golfers since 2022. More details 👉 go.randa.org/R&A2024Report

The traditional driving-in ceremony for Ian Pattinson, the new Captain of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, took place on the 1st tee of the Old Course today ⛳️ Caddie Mike Lowe retrieved the Captain’s ball at the traditional driving-in ceremony and received a gold sovereign which bears the head of His Majesty King Charles III. More here 👉 https://lnkd.in/e7bijgcf

The R&A and global sports marketing agency Two Circles have agreed a new, expanded long-term relationship, working together to drive growth across ticketing, premium experiences and fan experience propositions at The Open ⛳️ The announcement follows a record-breaking number of spectators for The Open at Royal Troon in July with 258,174 fans lining the course to witness Xander Schauffele’s successful pursuit of the famous Claret Jug. More here 👉 https://lnkd.in/evPFtvW8

It’s Thank A Greenkeeper Day ⛳️ We would like to thank all the greenkeepers for their continued hard work throughout the year to maintain courses, protect nature and drive sustainability around the world 🌱