PDGA Launches Sponsor a Member Program to Foster Global Growth

As part of its ongoing efforts to spread the sport of disc golf worldwide, the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) has launched a new initiative called the Sponsor a Member Program. This program allows PDGA members to sponsor a one-year amateur-class membership for an individual in a lower-income country for just $20.

The PDGA's International Director, Brian Hoeniger, expressed enthusiasm for the potential impact of this program: "We believe it has the potential to foster the participation and advancement in the sport of 500 or more players per year in countries and circumstances much less fortunate than our own." By combining sponsorships with existing initiatives like the Marco Polo Program, which provides equipment, clinics, and tournaments to emerging disc golf communities, the PDGA aims to overcome obstacles such as affordability and promote growth of the game globally.

Here's how the Sponsor a Member Program works:

* A sponsorship donation of $20 will secure a one-year amateur-class membership for an individual in a lower-income country.

* Working with Country Coordinators and local contacts, the PDGA identifies beneficiaries based on financial need.

* Sponsored members receive access to all benefits associated with PDGA membership, including tournament entry, equipment discounts, and community support.

When you sponsor a member through this program, you'll be able to track its impact. The PDGA will provide regular updates on the number of sponsorship donations received and memberships distributed. Although sponsors cannot currently choose the region where their sponsorship goes, the plan is to offer this option as the program grows.

To measure the success of the Sponsor a Member Program, the PDGA's International Director, Country Coordinators, and staff will provide regular reports on the number of sponsorships and memberships issued. If there are undistributed funds at the end of each membership season, they will carry over to the next season.

Please note that donations through this program are not tax-deductible since the PDGA is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization.

This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/news/growing-around-world