Scholarships open for junior golfers
Horsham Golf Club is offering three more scholarships to junior female golfers to increase their skills and retain them in the sport.
Horsham Golf Club project coordinator Cullen Williams said the scholarships included 24 coaching sessions with a Professional Golfers Association, PGA, professional golfer, branded shirt and cap, and one-year junior club membership that carries playing rights.
“The Australian Golf Foundation has funded these scholarships for several years, but this is the first time we have received them in Horsham,” he said.
“The program will run all year and we hope to start it up by the end of February.”
Mr Williams said there were six scholarships offered, with three already filled, for girls aged 10 to 16.
“It is open for any girl who has played golf before and who is interested in continuing to play golf, ” he said.
Bella Mcintyre, 15, is one of the scholarship recipients and said she was looking forward to the chance to learn more and play more golf.
“It’s pretty exciting to get this scholarship as there are not many opportunities to do what this scholarship offers,” she said.
“So, I took the opportunity while I could.
“Golf is something I used to come to with my dad when I was younger, and eventually, I picked it up to play myself.”
Competitive
Mcintyre said while she played basketball and netball, she enjoys golf because it is different to those sports.
“I like the environment of golf and how you get to know people from so many different places.
“Recently I have been trying to play a game competitively once a week and hit the practice range twice a week.
“I now play off 17 and irons are my best shot at the moment.”
Mr Williams said the club was also working to drive up junior memberships.
“Junior numbers have been dropping since COVID-19 restrictions began nearly three years ago when we weren’t able to do a lot, and the program dropped off,” he said.
“We only started getting junior clinics up and going at the end of last year, so we are looking to drive the program more.
“We have roughly 20 junior members now, but they had been on the decline as we didn’t have a golf professional locally to take clinics.
“Now we have some professionals back we will have more opportunities for our juniors.”
Mr Williams said he was hoping the scholarship would be ongoing, annually.
“Scholarship holders this year have the chance to do it again if we get more funding next year,” he said.
“It will depend on how much interest we get.”
Applications for the scholarships can be made to Mr Williams at marketing@horshamgolfclub. com