“In the past, girls have tended to come and go, but this program is keeping girls playing as they are forming friendships,” Robert Dehne, PGA Professional at Darwin Golf Club, said.

The program, the Australian Golf Foundation (AGF) Junior Girls Golf Scholarship Program, is funded by the AGF and aims to retain girls in golf by exposing them to year-round group coaching with other girls and assists them to transition into club membership and competition play.

“We are starting to fly,” Dehne said.

“More girls in our MyGolf programs are keen for next year’s uptake, and the five girls we have this year have come such a long way, it will be interesting to see where we are at the end of the year.”

One scholarship holder coming ahead in leaps and bounds is 11-year-old, Summer Dellow.

“When Summer joined the program at the start of the year, she was on a 37 handicap,” Dehne said.

“Her goal was to get to a handicap of 29 or less by December.

“But alas, just this month, Summer has achieved her goal so is now resetting and aiming to get to 25!”

Dellow’s progress has been a source of inspiration for the other scholarship recipients.

“Summer has been the first girl to get her handicap, so the other girls are really looking up to her,” Dehne said.

“I have been taking the girls out on-course to increase their confidence to play and get handicap ready too.”

Learn more about the Australian Golf Foundation Junior Girls Golf Scholarship program via the Vision 2025 website.

The 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.