European golf faces fight to keep club players - R&A chief


Peter Dawson, Chief Executive of the R&A speaks during a news conference ahead of the British Open golf championship at Royal Lytham & St Annes, northern England July 18, 2012. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

ABU DHABI (Reuters) - European golf will struggle to maintain its market share as people opt for alternative ways to spend their leisure time, the head of the game’s governing body warned on Tuesday, urging clubs to speed up play and reduce costs to attract new players.

Golf participation in Europe fell for the first time in 20 years in 2011 and declined further in 2012, according to consultants KPMG, while the United States has also suffered a marked drop in both players and courses.

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