Australian Golf Foundation scholarship program incentivises girls at Tasmania Golf Club

While a challenge in the initial stages of recruitment for the scholarship program, the Tasmania Golf Club now has 12 girls enjoying a scholarship in 2023.

Adam Holden, PGA Teaching Professional at the club puts this success down to “the program selling itself”, however his proactive manner towards connecting with schools via The First Tee, Sporting Schools plus MyGolf is also a key ingredient.

Holden advised “we now have a really fun environment for girls to learn with other girls.

“We’ve split the girls into two groups, a younger group aged 8-10 and the self-named older group ‘the golden oldies’ whose ages range from 13-16!

“Our combined sessions are a great way for girls to connect between age groups and enjoy a fun activity such as this month’s ‘design your own mini putt golf hole’ on the practice putting green.”

Scholarship recipients enjoy weekly tuition throughout the year. This also includes coming together once per month with the intent of the ‘golden oldies’ acting as mentors for the younger group.

For a club that did not have many girls regularly playing until the introduction of the Australian Golf Foundation (AGF) Junior Girls Golf Scholarship program, they are thrilled to see so many girls now involved.

This includes having additional parents and siblings also join the club as members.

Holden aims for each of the older girls to obtain a handicap and encourage the girls to play in the Golf Southern Tasmania Sunday meet-up events, a district-based program that encourages juniors to compete in six-and-nine-hole competitions.

Australian Golf Foundation is the national foundation for golf in Australia. The AGF supports Golf Australia’s vision to grow golf by investing in targeted initiatives to inspire all Australians to enjoy and play the game. 

The scholarship program has come to fruition thanks to the foresight and generosity of Bonnie Boezeman AO, Director of the Australian Golf Foundation, who originally established the program at Killara Golf Club, NSW.

Image. Credit Golf Australia