A confidence to spread their wings and compete away from home is what the Australian Golf Foundation Junior Girls Golf Scholarship program is bringing girls at Ayr Golf Club in Queensland.

“The girls were thrilled to receive a scholarship,” said Evelyn Webb, Junior Coordinator at the club. “They have all started to gain the confidence to compete in other junior events throughout North Queensland.

Webb, who is the mother of Australia’s greatest golfer, Karrie Webb, is under no illusion as to what it takes for the girls to advance.

“We’re a small community about one hour south of Townsville. Should the girls wish to progress their golf, a lot of travel is involved. It is wonderful to see however, this new generation of girls enjoying and benefiting from some initiatives that did not exist when Karrie was growing up," she said.

“Karrie was always the only girl in the area who played, and only saw her fellow girl golf friends every few months when she travelled for events. It is pleasing to now see our scholarship girls being able to learn and play together on a regular basis at the club.

“We are also absolutely thrilled to learn that in 2023, our club’s Karrie Webb Junior Masters event will be added to the state Order of Merit. This means that our girls can play a local event that counts towards their state ranking, as well as be connected with more girls who come from the south to play.

“It is great to see what the Australian Golf Foundation is doing for girls and women’s golf. It is so vital to keep our girls playing.”

For more information and to see a list of funded centres, 2022 visit the Australian Golf Foundation website.

Australian Golf Foundation is thrilled to partner with NEXTGEN Group as the principal partner of the AGF Scholarship Programme 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.

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. Visit australiangolffoundation.org.au for further information.

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.