The United States Golf Association and the PGA of America have made monetary donations to start programs which will provide people in the golf industry financial aid during the Coronavirus pandemic.
The PGA of America made a $5-million pledge to start the Golf Emergency Relief Fund, with a matching fund for gifts by third parties of up to $2.5 million, raising the total to as much or more than $10 million.
The money will be made available in payments to a wide range of the golf industry’s 1.8 million workers, not only the PGA of America’s 29,000 professionals. Those impacted financially by COVID-19 can apply for the funds beginning Thursday.
“This is all going to individuals,” PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh said. “We tried to design it in a way that makes the most sense and gets it to the people in the most need.”
The fund will be administered by E4E Relief, an independent third-party public charity, and the money be available in two phases.
The first phase will supply grants of $500 to $1,500 for people in the most immediate need, and several weeks later the second phase will consist of grants topping out at $3,500.
Qualified applicants will include Golf Course Superintendents Association of America members, caddies, Association of Golf Merchandisers members, players on developmental tours and more.
“We’ve added the Relief Fund as a next layer of defense, to pump a little adrenaline into the system in the form of cash,” Waugh said. “We’re just thinking about how to get everybody to the other side, so that’s our approach.”
Waugh estimated that outside contributions could make the fund reach $20 million.
The USGA has established an emergency relief fund of up to $5 million to support members of the Allied Golf Association, which supports golf associations in all 50 states.
AGA members can apply for up to $100,000 to help ensure business continuity and staffing levels during this time. Financial assistance will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
The application process began on Monday and will continue through the summer, if necessary. The USGA will provide additional funding if the business disruption is prolonged.
“These golf associations are the backbone of the recreational and competitive golf communities at the local, state and regional level,” Mike Davis, CEO of the USGA, said in a 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.”
AGAs function as mission-driven nonprofit organizations, conducting events that for golfers of all ages, backgrounds and abilities, including juniors and women. They also educate countless golf professionals, officials and players; advocate for golf courses; and provide affordable opportunities to play.
The USGA partners with its network of AGAs to deliver key golf resources and programs at the regional level, including conducting more than 600 qualifiers for 14 USGA Open and amateur championships.
