With the global pandemic leading to widespread difficulties, Kent Golf is making a commitment to its members to release funds during 2021, as part of our giving-back and support of our member golf clubs in Kent. We are pleased to announce that with immediate effect, Kent Golf is launching a County-wide Club Development Grant opportunity, available to all golf clubs affiliated to Kent Golf.

Who can apply?

All golf clubs affiliated to Kent Golf Ltd as long as they are SafeGolf accredited and affiliation fees are up to date. The criteria and conditions in place will need to be adhered to.

Purpose/What is it for?

The grant aims to support clubs in one of the following categories: juniors, women, diversity, disability and environmental/sustainability projects. The grant is not to intended to be used for elite golf.

Consideration must be given to ensure that the outcome of this Grant should be for the benefit of Members 

Ideas of what the grant can be used for?

Juniors:  purchase of junior golf club sets to encourage new juniors to take up the sport (but not where funding for the same equipment has been made under the Kent Golf Junior Funding Bursary scheme)
Women:  provision of childcare during school hours
Diversity:  targeted marketing to encourage BAME participants
Disability:  purchase of single seater buggy so that those returning from illness can participate even if only scoring for another player
Environmental/Sustainability Criteria:

The project should protect nature, benefit communities and conserve resources. The project must have a positive impact and provide a great golf experience by including one or more of the following aspects:

Providing a safe and pleasant working environment for all club staff and golfers 
Enhancing the natural environment of the golf course and surrounding areas and protecting nature 
Conserving energy and water (and water quality) 
Reducing waste in the clubhouse, maintenance facility and course 
Preventing pollution from all activities 
Nursery establishment for turf or planting 
New woodlands 
Creating and managing water bodies and wetland areas 

Kent Golf want to ensure that clubs can claim the maximum grant possible so it is absolutely fine to apply for a grant covering more than one category as long as a separate application is made for each category and it doesn’t exceed the maximum available. Clubs may also apply for lesser amounts if the proposed project as a cost less than the maximum claimable.

What the grant can’t be used for?

The grant is not intended to be used for elite golf which is well served in other ways

How much can my club claim?

The total value of the Club Development fund is £120,000 which has arisen from affiliation fees paid to the County but not spent. Kent Golf would like to return funds broadly in proportion to affiliation fees paid. Depending on the size of your active membership we will pay out funds to clubs that qualify with maximum amounts as follows:

Process - how to apply

All affiliated Kent clubs can apply for the grant using the online application form below.  Please note that a separate application is required for each category.  The grant is based on the affiliation fees received and membership breakdown provided in 2020. 

You will be required to state the purpose of the funds in each of the required categories. If the grant is approved you will receive official notification from  grants@kentgolf.org 

Clubs should wait to find if their application has been successful before committing funds.

Invoices for the projects should be submitted to Kent Golf Ltd for reimbursement. Additional documentation may be requested if necessary. Clubs will be asked to provide some narrative and photo evidence showing the impact of the grant before funds are paid out. We would like to publicise the grant and to help other clubs with ideas as to how to spend the funds. We will use these photos and stories for our social media channels.

Timeframes

The deadline date for applying for the grant is 31st December 2021. All grant applications will be reviewed on a timely basis and the club will be notified via email shortly after confirming whether the application has been successful or not.

The selection/assessment process

Grant applications will be assessed against the specified categories and consideration will be given to those spends that will benefit the majority of members and are considered fair. There are three people who have volunteered on the selection panel with a diverse range of experience to ensure that grants are awarded in a consistent manner.

Pauline Burrow: Chair of subcommittee - Kent Golf Finance Committee and member of The Wildernesse GC

James Cornish: Ex Chart Hills Golf Manager and consultant

Nancy O’Connor: Member of Sundridge Park GC

Only if required, a final decision on the grant may be referred to the Kent Golf Finance Committee.

Further information

For further assistance or queries, contact  grants@kentgolf.org

*Per Affiliation Fee returns submitted for 2020 period