Golf is GREAT in Moldova
The British Ambassador presented golf equipment for Moldovan Golf Association
The British Ambassador Mr Phil Batson putting the ball during the presentation.
At a reception in the Embassy garden on 12 September the British Ambassador to the Republic of Moldova, Mr Phil Batson, presented 14 sets of junior/ladies golf clubs to the Moldovan Golf Association on behalf of golf’s principal governing body, the R&A (which takes its name from the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews). The equipment has been gifted by the R&A to support the development of golf in the Republic of Moldova – an emerging golfing nation.
In preparation for the event, the Embassy garden was transformed into an improvised mini golf course equipped with 2 holes and flags (or ‘pins’ in golfing parlance)! The event was attended by the President of the Moldovan Golf Association, Mr. Roman Ostapenco, a representative from the Moldovan Olympic Committee, Ambassadors, representatives of British community in Moldova, businessmen and, of course, children who were the main beneficiaries of the donation.
Before presenting the sets to the young golfers, Ambassador Batson spoke of how the British Embassy in Chisinau was using the legacy of the London 2012 Games and the GREAT campaign to promote UK values and human rights in Moldova. He added that golf (a British game with its origins in Scotland) “ is a game notable for the principles of fair play, honesty and equality. Equality because, thanks to its handicap system, people of different abilities can compete against one another on a level playing field. And a level playing field in terms of opportunity is something which all citizens should expect from their governments.’’