The Road To The Opens Trophy Tour has completed its impact journey around the North West of England, as part of a landmark collaboration between The R&A, Golf Foundation, England Golf and The PGA.
The Trophy Tour was the opening chapter of a multi-month initiative designed to inspire young people, grow the game and create a legacy around this summer’s major championships. Launched at Royal Lytham & St Annes, host venue for the 50th AIG Women’s Open, the wider Road To The Opens programme will now continue throughout the summer.
To kickstart the initiative, the Golf Foundation and England Golf took the trophies from the iconic host venue and brought them on an 18-day tour of schools, communities and golf clubs in the local area. The Trophy Tour visited 19 venues, reaching more than 600 young people.
By taking the trophies directly into local settings, the tour built early excitement while connecting young people to real opportunities to get into golf.
Designed to inspire the next generation, the tour combined hands-on golf experiences with the rare opportunity to see the trophies up close - creating lasting memories while showcasing a clear pathway into the sport.
“Seeing these iconic trophies out in communities, schools and clubs is a powerful way to inspire young people and connect them to the excitement of The Open and the AIG Women’s Open," said Kevin Barker, Director, Golf Development - GB&I and Africa at The R&A. “This tour is just the start of a wider journey that will engage thousands more young people in the months ahead.”
The tour didn’t just introduce golf either – it also helped to demonstrate how young people can progress through the sport, thanks to the Junior Journey that England Golf and the Golf Foundation deliver across the country. From first touchpoints in schools and community settings, where children build confidence and learn fundamental skills, the journey continues into local golf clubs, where they can develop further through structured coaching and playing formats.
By connecting these stages, the Road To The Opens is using the showcase of two major tournaments in the local area to inspire young people to start golf, and to then stay in it, progress, and enjoy it for life.
To kickstart the initiative, the Golf Foundation and England Golf took the trophies from the iconic host venue and brought them on an 18-day tour of schools, communities and golf clubs in the local area. The Trophy Tour visited 19 venues, reaching more than 600 young people.
By taking the trophies directly into local settings, the tour built early excitement while connecting young people to real opportunities to get into golf.
Designed to inspire the next generation, the tour combined hands-on golf experiences with the rare opportunity to see the trophies up close - creating lasting memories while showcasing a clear pathway into the sport.
“Seeing these iconic trophies out in communities, schools and clubs is a powerful way to inspire young people and connect them to the excitement of The Open and the AIG Women’s Open," said Kevin Barker, Director, Golf Development - GB&I and Africa at The R&A. “This tour is just the start of a wider journey that will engage thousands more young people in the months ahead.”
The tour didn’t just introduce golf either – it also helped to demonstrate how young people can progress through the sport, thanks to the Junior Journey that England Golf and the Golf Foundation deliver across the country. From first touchpoints in schools and community settings, where children build confidence and learn fundamental skills, the journey continues into local golf clubs, where they can develop further through structured coaching and playing formats.
By connecting these stages, the Road To The Opens is using the showcase of two major tournaments in the local area to inspire young people to start golf, and to then stay in it, progress, and enjoy it for life.
Community
The Trophy Tour visited a number of community projects across the three weeks, including events at Prairie Sports Village, a Forget-Me-Not dementia event at Heysham Golf Club, and events with both Everton In The Community and the Liverpool FC Foundation. The latter joined the Golf Foundation team at Anfield Sports and Community Centre, where former England and Liverpool goalkeeper Chris Kirkland was on hand to help introduce young people to the game.
“You can see how much they’re enjoying it,” Kirkland said. “You can see how much they’re laughing."
“It feels proper good, because kids have never seen golf trophies like this and it’s actually brilliant,” said one youngster from the Liverpool Foundation. “It would be a dream to go and see the AIG Women’s Open.”
The Trophy Tour visited a number of community projects across the three weeks, including events at Prairie Sports Village, a Forget-Me-Not dementia event at Heysham Golf Club, and events with both Everton In The Community and the Liverpool FC Foundation. The latter joined the Golf Foundation team at Anfield Sports and Community Centre, where former England and Liverpool goalkeeper Chris Kirkland was on hand to help introduce young people to the game.
“You can see how much they’re enjoying it,” Kirkland said. “You can see how much they’re laughing."
“It feels proper good, because kids have never seen golf trophies like this and it’s actually brilliant,” said one youngster from the Liverpool Foundation. “It would be a dream to go and see the AIG Women’s Open.”
Club
There is no shortage of golf clubs within a few Rory McIlroy strikes of The Open and AIG Women’s Open this year, and 39 clubs engaged with the Trophy Tour over the three-week period - including Royal Lytham & St Annes, who helped to launch the initiative, as well as hosting a daughters' and granddaughters’ day to help their members inspire the next generation of girls.
Chorley Golf Club, meanwhile, saw the Trophy Tour arrive just in time to help launch the 2026 GolfSixes League season, celebrating the start of another successful campaign for the junior, team-based format from the Golf Foundation and The R&A. More than 9,000 young people played GolfSixes League in 2025 across 743 clubs, and 2026 is expected to see even greater numbers.
With more experienced junior golfers present on the day, the visit showcased how first experiences can quickly turn into regular participation in a club setting and really drove home the excitement of the two big events being so nearby.
“Having The Open here in the area is great”, said Aaron O’Berg, Junior Captain at Chorley Golf Club. “It gives us all the opportunity to go watch a high level of golf, and it’s inspiration to do better. It’s great for the area.”
There is no shortage of golf clubs within a few Rory McIlroy strikes of The Open and AIG Women’s Open this year, and 39 clubs engaged with the Trophy Tour over the three-week period - including Royal Lytham & St Annes, who helped to launch the initiative, as well as hosting a daughters' and granddaughters’ day to help their members inspire the next generation of girls.
Chorley Golf Club, meanwhile, saw the Trophy Tour arrive just in time to help launch the 2026 GolfSixes League season, celebrating the start of another successful campaign for the junior, team-based format from the Golf Foundation and The R&A. More than 9,000 young people played GolfSixes League in 2025 across 743 clubs, and 2026 is expected to see even greater numbers.
With more experienced junior golfers present on the day, the visit showcased how first experiences can quickly turn into regular participation in a club setting and really drove home the excitement of the two big events being so nearby.
“Having The Open here in the area is great”, said Aaron O’Berg, Junior Captain at Chorley Golf Club. “It gives us all the opportunity to go watch a high level of golf, and it’s inspiration to do better. It’s great for the area.”
School
Five primary and secondary schools got to welcome the trophies, too. A visit to Our Lady Star of the Sea Primary School was a highlight, with two sessions delivered to more than 60 pupils, before a group of teachers underwent training to support ongoing delivery and develop the legacy that is at the heart of this whole journey.
The visit demonstrated how golf can be embedded into schools in a simple, accessible way, using the Golf Foundation’s Unleash Your Drive programme to teach mental wellbeing alongside fun golf games.
“I liked learning new skills,” said one young pupil, “and how they helped not just golf but other sports, and mental life too.”
Brendon Pyle, CEO of the Golf Foundation said: “This tour is exactly what we’re about. Taking golf to young people, wherever they are, and showing them that the game is fun, inclusive and for them. As the starting point of Road To The Opens, it’s about creating that first spark and then supporting young people on a journey into the sport. We’re looking forward to reaching more young people in the months ahead.”
Richard Flint, Chief Operating Officer at England Golf, said: “The Road To The Opens Trophy Tour has been a brilliant way to bring the Junior Journey to life. From first experiences in schools and communities through to playing at clubs, it shows how young people can take that first step and continue their journey in golf.”
Dr Jonathan Wright, External Relations at The PGA, said, “Our Members play a vital role in introducing young people to golf and nurturing their development, and the Road To The Opens Trophy Tour has highlighted the impact of PGA Professionals and coaching in making golf accessible, enjoyable and rewarding for the next generation. With both championships fast approaching, we look forward to seeing that inspiration continue to grow across the region.”
Five primary and secondary schools got to welcome the trophies, too. A visit to Our Lady Star of the Sea Primary School was a highlight, with two sessions delivered to more than 60 pupils, before a group of teachers underwent training to support ongoing delivery and develop the legacy that is at the heart of this whole journey.
The visit demonstrated how golf can be embedded into schools in a simple, accessible way, using the Golf Foundation’s Unleash Your Drive programme to teach mental wellbeing alongside fun golf games.
“I liked learning new skills,” said one young pupil, “and how they helped not just golf but other sports, and mental life too.”
Brendon Pyle, CEO of the Golf Foundation said: “This tour is exactly what we’re about. Taking golf to young people, wherever they are, and showing them that the game is fun, inclusive and for them. As the starting point of Road To The Opens, it’s about creating that first spark and then supporting young people on a journey into the sport. We’re looking forward to reaching more young people in the months ahead.”
Richard Flint, Chief Operating Officer at England Golf, said: “The Road To The Opens Trophy Tour has been a brilliant way to bring the Junior Journey to life. From first experiences in schools and communities through to playing at clubs, it shows how young people can take that first step and continue their journey in golf.”
Dr Jonathan Wright, External Relations at The PGA, said, “Our Members play a vital role in introducing young people to golf and nurturing their development, and the Road To The Opens Trophy Tour has highlighted the impact of PGA Professionals and coaching in making golf accessible, enjoyable and rewarding for the next generation. With both championships fast approaching, we look forward to seeing that inspiration continue to grow across the region.”
ENDS
Contact details:
Tom Vale, Press & Media Manager
Tel: 07912 240850
Email: tom.vale@englandgolf.org
www.englandgolf.org
Contact details:
Tom Vale, Press & Media Manager
Tel: 07912 240850
Email: tom.vale@englandgolf.org
www.englandgolf.org