Golf is finally getting sun savvy!

The Slip! Slap! Swing! sun protection campaign for golf launched last year, and returned this summer with a new challenge.  The Melanoma Fund – the charity behind the campaign – aimed to get 200 golf clubs in the UK and Ireland ‘Sun Protection Accredited’ in 2020, a target that has just been achieved, following an incredible year for the charity.

Supported by every leading golf organisations, their mission is to transform sun protection in golf to tackle the rapid rise of melanoma and other forms of skin cancer within the sport. With clubs such as Stoke Park, The Grange, Royal Birkdale, Goodwood, Royal Dornoch, Burnham & Bellow and other large, prestigious clubs joining the community, this campaign has created the ideal platform to expand into 2021.

Rationale

Rates of melanoma - the most dangerous form of skin cancer - have more than doubled in the UK in the last 30 years, with incidence in women having doubled (100% increase) and for men nearly tripled (181%).  It is one of our fastest rising cancers, and although still higher in older people, rates in 25-49 year olds increased by 70% over the same period*. Global cases will reach nearly half a million (466,914) by 2040, an increase of 62% on 2018 figures. 

Is your golf club involved?

As golfers we should take responsibility and if your club isn’t on-board ask the question why?  Getting Sun Protection Accredited is free, quick, and easy to achieve, with club’s benefiting from downloadable resources and advice that help enhance their duty of care to members, visitors and staff. 

Involvement requires the follow five actions:

1. Nominate a Sun Pro Ambassador- promoting the campaign to members/staff.

2.  Add a sun protection statementto Terms & Conditions of play/Health & Safety policy.

3.  Display awareness postersand promote the campaign internally, and externally on socials.

4. Ensure sunscreen is availablein the club, either for sale or for complimentary use.

5. Display the Sun Protection Accreditation logo– both digitally and in the club.

A golfer like me

Golfers affected by all types of skin cancer came forward to tell their stories, encouraging others to understand the reality of skin cancer and how it can affect anyone. They worked with the campaign’s ambassador; PGA Pro Jamie Cundy to produce a set of videos, the really push home the message. 

Say’s Michelle Baker, CEO of the Melanoma Fund; “Small, measurable actions by many, help create big impact. This summer has been an incredible journey into the sport and with such a fantastic response from all in golf, we are on track to wake golf up to the issue, and achieve a massive strike against skin cancer this year.”

Support

The charity is working with a team of golf ambassadors made up of golfers, caddies and top industry experts, all helping spread awareness.  All participating clubs receive free sunscreen and support in promoting their work, to help keep them motivated and sun savvy throughout the summer”. 

For further information visit the Melanoma Fund’s Slip! Slap! Swing! campaign at www.melanoma-fund.co.uk/golf #SlipSlapSwing20

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Notes:

*While stocks last

** The Slip! Slap! Swing! campaign www.melanoma-fund.co.uk/golf is supported by:

·        British Golf Industry Association (BGIA)

·        The British and International Golf Greenkeeping Association (BIGGA)

·        Confederation of Golf in Ireland (CGI)

·        England Golf

·        Golf Club Managers Association (GMCA)

·        Golf Ireland

·        R&A

·        The Professional Golfers’ Association (The PGA)

·        The Golf Society of Great Britain

·        Scottish Golf

·        UK Golf Federation

·        Wales Golf

·        Scottish Golf Club Managers Association

·        World Golf Teachers Federation

·        Golf Union of Ireland