CHARITIES helping put food on the table and offering life-changing therapy are among those benefitting from the Genesis Scottish Open.

The international golf tournament was last year played at The Renaissance Club, which will once again hold the prestigious competition this summer.

It has now been announced that East Lothian Foodbank, Gullane Village Association, Leuchie House, Muirfield Riding Therapy, the Pennypit Trust, and the Stephen Gallacher Foundation have been selected as beneficiaries from a share of £200,000, as Scotland’s national open strives to give back to the local area via a wide range of causes.

The Renaissance Club Charitable Foundation – set up by the owners of host venue The Renaissance Club – received generous donations from club members and others playing in the Genesis Scottish Open pro-am.

The DP World Tour, PGA Tour and title partner Genesis contributed to a 'birdie pledge', bringing the fundraising total to about £200,000.

Rory Colville, the DP World Tour’s championship director for the Genesis Scottish Open, said: “We were delighted to be able to come together with the tournament partners to raise such a fantastic figure to be distributed amongst so many worthy local causes following the 2022 Genesis Scottish Open.

“Scotland’s national open has a long history of charitable giving and it is important to us as a tour to have a positive impact on the communities we visit under our Golf for Good principles.

“Although the tournament has been staged in the East Lothian area since 2018, and at the Renaissance Club since 2019, the 2022 event was the start of a new era, and it seemed fitting to distribute the funds raised to charities spread across the local area and with a whole range of aims and outcomes.”

The six charities

East Lothian Foodbank, based in Tranent, offers county-wide distribution of food parcels to those in crisis in the county, while Gullane Village Association was formed during lockdown. The group took on the lease of the village’s old scout hall and now provides a community space for a wide range of activities.

Leuchie House, near North Berwick, is the only centre in Scotland dedicated to supporting people living with a neurological condition through individualised short respite breaks.

Muirfield Riding Therapy, based at West Fenton, uses pioneering equine-facilitated therapy to promote participants’ physical and mental health.

Meanwhile, the Prestonpans-based Pennypit Trust provides a wide range of activities and offers opportunities for young people through volunteering, work experience, sport and lunch clubs.

Finally, the Stephen Gallacher Foundation aims to give all children the chance to learn and enjoy golf in a fun environment.

David Sarvadi, chair of The Renaissance Club Foundation, said: “The trustees of The Renaissance Club Charitable Foundation are grateful for the generous support of Genesis, the DP World Tour, the PGA Tour and The Renaissance Club.

“Our aim is to support first local charities who provide assistance and comfort in a variety of settings and, second, the development of golf in East Lothian and greater Scotland.

“This successful initial effort sets the stage for a greater effort in the future.”

Last year, the Genesis Scottish Open was co-sanctioned by the DP World Tour and PGA Tour for the first time.

Olympic champion Xander Schauffele became the first player to win an event co-sanctioned by the DP World Tour and PGA Tour outside of the Majors and World Golf Championships, and has confirmed that he will return in July to defend his title.

It has also been confirmed that the Genesis Scottish Open, which tees off on July 13, will be hosted at The Renaissance Club until 2026.