54’s flourishing partnership with England Golf enjoyed another memorable landmark when the governing body for amateur golf scooped the Sports Innovation Award at the 2024 Sports Business Awards for its iGolf initiative.

Ironically enough the independent golfer connectivity platform which allows non-members to record a Handicap Index® and potentially set them on a pathway to club membership reached 54,000 subscribers as it was awarded the accolade at an awards ceremony in London.

Since the platform’s inception in 2021, iGolf has helped generate significant revenues  to be reinvested in the game, with over £300k given to England Golf’s counties in the last 12-months alone. iGolf has also seen 14,000 players transition from its platform to club membership, and is currently experiencing a healthy revenue trajectory.

iGolf was created by England Golf with 54 working on their behalf as a means of bridging the gap between club and non-club member golfers, who had been previously unable to maintain a handicap before the introduction of the World Handicap System™.

For an annual subscription fee, golfers are not only able to have a Handicap Index® managed and administered by England Golf - they also enjoy a range of benefits including golf insurance, access to playing opportunities, discounts, green fee offers and prize draws.

England Golf CEO Jeremy Tomlinson said: ‘We’re amazingly proud to receive this award, it is testament to all the amazing hard work our team and volunteers have dedicated to this initiative over recent years. 

“iGolf provides a wonderful opportunity for golfers, who couldn’t commit to club membership, to obtain a handicap and enjoy holding the unique measuring index for their sport.

“The reaction to iGolf has been tremendous, and we have seen our subscription numbers grow year on year, with 2024 being the best yet. 

“As a governing body, we have an unwavering commitment to making our game as inclusive and accessible as possible, and iGolf is further evidence of that.