Former One Direction band member Niall Horan will use the influence of his Modest! Golf talent agency to help design and develop new programmes aimed at inspiring more young people into golf and retain them within the sport.
The R&A has announced the appointment today suggesting that the arrangement will see a focus on increasing the appeal of golf for young people by leveraging the power of influencers from the sports and entertainment world to present the sport in a more positive light to new audiences and challenge some of the more unhelpful perceptions that exist about golf.
The R&A governs the world of golf outside of USA and Mexico and alongside the role in rules and regulations, they are committed to investing £200 million ($382m NZD) over ten years in developing golf and support the growth of the sport internationally, including the development and management of sustainable golf facilities.
Phil Anderton, Chief Development Offer at The R&A said the relationship with Modest! Golf is built on a shared ambition for golf to be viewed as a fun, friendly and accessible sport that is inclusive of all people no matter their age, gender, ability or background.
“Modest! Golf has a wealth of expertise and insight from the entertainment and sports industries that will be combined with our experience of developing golf around the world to establish exciting new initiatives aimed at reaching new audiences and inspiring more young people into playing golf with their family and friends,” Anderton said.
“We look forward to working together to broaden its appeal through our networks in golf and encourage young people to enjoy its many social and health benefits.”
Niall Horan, founder of Modest! Golf and a golfer of some note said he is proud to work alongside The R&A in developing programmes to encourage and inspire more young people to play the game of golf.
“It is something my company Modest! Golf is hugely passionate about and I am honoured that the chief executive Martin Slumbers, Phil Anderton and The R&A are entrusting my agency to help drive the game forward,” Horan said.
“The R&A has a long legacy within the game and I look forward to helping to create new and modern initiatives to showcase to the younger generation just what a great sport golf is.”
Modest! Golf evolved from entertainment agency Modest! Management and was founded by Niall Horan and Mark McDonnell in 2016. It is responsible for the management of professional golfers including Tyrrell Hatton, Leona Maguire, Connor Syme, Olivia Cowan and Guido Migliozzi as well as world top 5 disability golfer Brendan Lawlor.
It also aims to promote inclusivity and opportunity through renowned events like the ISPS Handa World Invitational and the Horan & Rose charity tournament which has raised over £2 million ($3.8m NZD) for children’s charities across the world.
