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The Australian Golf Foundation, in association with Golf Australia, is delivering the Australian Golf Foundation (AGF) Junior Girls Scholarship program for a second year, which following the successful pilot program, is being expanded to involve more facilities and more girls.

AGF scholarship program founder and board member, Bonnie Boezeman notes “we have been delighted with the feedback from both our clubs and scholars in 2021. All girls and deliverers involved this year have told us they rate their experience in the program as good, great or brilliant and 92% of girls want to continue learning and playing at their club next year. To have this many girls saying they want to carry on being a member and playing golf is nothing short of brilliant.  

Commenting on the golf industry coming together to support the program financially for the first time, Boezeman advised “I think everyone is aware of how successful the pilot program has been and the importance of providing support to retain girls in golf, especially teenage girls which this program targets.”

Funding from numerous golf industry bodies and generous donors means the program can be expanded in 2022 to grant 400 scholarships to girls, more than 170 up on the 2021 figure.

Under the tutelage of a club’s PGA professional and/or community instructor, along with the support of club members, scholarship holders will have the opportunity to:

• Advance their skills through coaching
• Obtain a handicap
• Play in club competitions
• Form lifelong golfing friendships with other girls and members

To fund this activity, successful golf club applicants will receive $2000 plus GST in funding.

Claire Elvidge, PGA Professional who has been instructing and mentoring scholarship recipients at Cottesloe Golf Club, WA this year states “the program has been great. I've had nothing but positive feedback. It has enabled us to partner with our neighbouring public facility Wembley Golf to recruit five girls to the program and support these girls to obtain handicaps and club membership.”

Karen Lunn, WPGA Chief EXecutive and scholarship steering group member agrees the program has been great and adds “this program offers a wonderful opportunity for young girls all around Australia to begin their golfing journey under the watchful and nurturing eyes of PGA Professionals. For those who have the potential to maybe one day compete at the highest level, the scholarship will provide them with the tools and advice critical to their future development and potentially to a pathway to professional golf.

“As the peak body for professional women’s golf, there is no doubt in my mind that the scholarship program will help increase our pool of talent for future female players and coaches.”

Chairman of the AGF Stephen Spargo commented “The Australian Golf Foundation is extremely proud to assist clubs financially so that they can provide opportunities to keep girls in the game. By encouraging and supporting girls to continue their golfing journey beyond clinics and obtaining a handicap, we hope to increase the number of girls enjoying our wonderful game.”

The AGF announced NEXTGEN Group as the principal partner of the AGF Scholarship Program in 2022, with significant further support provided by Golf Australia, Golf Victoria, Victorian Golf Foundation, Golf Queensland, Golf South Australia, Golf Tasmania, Golf Western Australia, Western Australian Golf Foundation, Golf Northern Territory, Jack Newton Junior Golf, Golf Management Australia, WPGA Tour of Australasia and PGA of Australia, as well as a number of additional generous private benefactors.

Applications for 2022 are now open and close 5pm AEST Monday 25th October 2021.

To learn more about how your club can get involved and apply, click here 

For more information on The Australian Golf Foundation visit australiangolffoundation.org.au 

Image courtesy of golf.org.au/

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