Just north of the Sydney Harbour bridge, five girls recently joined Lane Cove Golf Club and are already progressing from clinics into club golf.

Lane Cove is one of 40 golf centres across Australia participating in the Australian Golf Foundation Junior Girls Golf Scholarship program.

“Before the scholarship program, we only had one female junior member,” said Kasey Dive, head PGA professional at Lane Cove.

“It is very exciting to now have six!

“Our local council and community are thrilled that we have been offered such a great opportunity.”

The program equips girls with year-long coaching and club membership with the support to obtain handicaps and start playing competition golf.

“As the head professional, I was seeing many juniors come for weekly clinics but not progressing through the club to become members, get handicaps and play in competitions,” Dive said.

“When I heard about this program, I was so excited as I thought it was just what we needed to encourage the girls to take that next step.

“The vibe between the girls is really special. I can see them growing as individuals and they are all proud to be part of such a prestigious program.

“They wear their shirts and hats with a sense of pride and achievement and it's lovely watching the bond between the girls blossom.

“My hopes are for the girls to take their love of golf to the next level and to create a bond between each other that becomes a really special friendship.

“I would like to see them all playing regularly in the club competitions and playing in some local and state-level junior competitions.”

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, along with generous donations by the NSW Golf Foundation and Jack Newton Junior Golf.