Muslim Golf Association takes mission Stateside

The Muslim Golf Association has entered into a partnership with the LPGA Foundation to increase playing opportunities for Muslim girls in the United States.

The partnership officially launches at the LPGA Cognizant Founders Cup on May 11, when 100 Muslim girls aged five to 18 will be introduced to golf with a two-hour coaching clinic at Upper Montclair Country Club, New Jersey.

The girls are invited to watch the tournament live and see the world’s best female professionals compete at an LPGA Tour event celebrating the legacy and impact of its 13 founders.

The MGA was founded in the United Kingdom in 2020 by Amir Malik and is the world’s first dedicated golfing organisation for Muslim male, female and disability golfers.?

The association successfully introduced more than 1,000 Muslim women to golf in 2022, through an innovative collaboration with?love.golf , a pioneering group golf coaching experience for women, supported by Syngenta Golf.

• love.golf and Muslim Golf Association join forces
• 1,000 Muslim women sign up to golf events

Amir Malik, Founder of the Muslim Golf Association, said: “The MGA was an experiment that became a movement. The dream is to take it global and partnering with the LPGA Foundation in America is a big first step to achieving our vision and goals.”

The connection with the LPGA Foundation was formed when Malik met Dr. Renee Powell, one of America’s leading champions for inclusion and diversity in golf, at a conference in 2023.

• Renee Powell wins inaugural Charlie Sifford Award

“The synergy and alignment between both organisations is so strong that we simply had to do this, even with a short turnaround. This expansion represents a significant step to growing the MGA internationally and I genuinely couldn't imagine a more perfect setting and partner for our introduction into America,” said Malik.

The LPGA Foundation is the not-for-profit charitable arm of the LPGA Tour, founded in 1991, and has benefited more than 500,000 women and girls through programs and initiatives aimed at empowering them through golf.

Stephanie Peareth,?Director of Operations at the LPGA Foundation, said:?“It’s so exciting to partner with the Muslim Golf Association. We aim to inspire girls to dream big and have as many opportunities as possible to feel empowered worldwide.

The impact of changing girls' lives runs through both our programs and inspires our efforts to change the face of golf. This event will be groundbreaking, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds.”

The MGA provides opportunities for Muslims to enjoy golf in a safe, inclusive and non-intimidating environment through events, social gatherings and community development.?

Malik says it will launch Race to Belek, a competitive events series, later this year in America. MGA is also actively exploring opportunities for coaching clinics and play days for women, girls and disabled Muslim golfers in New York, Chicago and Michigan.

What can golf club businesses do?

Nationwide initiatives like this one contribute to increasing visibility of underrepresented groups, but changes can be made at a very local level too.

Brandon Bell, M. Ed, SPHR, TMP Bell, Syngenta's People and Organizational Development Lead (North America) says "A golf club can use data to better understand demographics or speak to its customers and staff to find out how diversity, equity and inclusion could?enhance their experience.?

"By creating an environment and experience where minority groups feel welcome and valued - and this is reflected in your club imagery and communications ?? this will help other diverse groups understand that?this is a place where they could belong."

For more insights and solutions, read our social listening report?Golf & Social Media: Diversity .

To find out more about the Muslim Golf Association visit:?www.muslimgolfassociation.com