The United States Golf Association (USGA) has teamed up with celebrated actor Don Cheadle in an effort to increase the value of public golf to golfers, courses and communities throughout America.
Cheadle, an avid golfer with a huge passion for the game, recognises that the long-term viability of the sport depends on strengthening the health of public golf, while finding ways for the game to operate in a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly manner.
“Growing up, I used to play public courses with my father, and I have some great memories of those rounds,” said Cheadle, a veteran of dozens of acclaimed movies and TV shows with two Golden Globe awards to his name. “I want to make sure that future generations of golfers are able to have access to the same opportunities that I was able to benefit from.”
Cheadle will also serve as a U.S. Open brand ambassador, lending his voice and stature to showcase what makes the championship truly special. The 55-year-old star is best known among younger audiences for playing War Machine / James Rhodes in Marvel’s Ironman and Avengers movies.
The USGA continues to be a leading champion for golf course sustainability, funding research and developing technology that have measurably reduced golf’s use of water, energy and other resources. These initiatives are particularly important for public golf courses, which comprise more than 75 percent of all courses in the United States and provide affordable, lifetime recreation for golfers everywhere. They also provide numerous environmental benefits to their communities, including green space and habitat for wildlife.
“It’s important to understand the impact that golf courses have on the communities in which they are located. They use natural resources, like water, and are home to many species of wildlife.
“We need to be mindful about what that means and understand the responsibility of golf courses within the ecosystem. I’m very happy to be working with the USGA going forward,” noted Cheadle, who is also a United Nations Environment Program Global Goodwill Ambassador .
“We are thrilled to work with someone as passionate about the health of the environment and the state of the game of golf as Don Cheadle,” said USGA chief executive Mike Davis. “His prominence and support for these important causes make him a perfect fit for a collaboration with the USGA and to serve as a voice for fans of the U.S. Open.”
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