Two very exciting phone calls have been made to two delighted girls this week…

Lilli Andrew of Bunbury Golf Club, WA and Bethany Clough from North Haven Golf Club, SA picked up the phone and learned that as part of the Australian Golf Foundation (AGF) Junior Girls Golf Scholarship program, they had won a custom fitted set of 14 Callaway and Odyssey golf clubs - kindly donated by Callaway!

Lilli Andrew was over the moon to the hear the great news.

“That is so awesome!” she said in a shocked and excited tone. “I am already using Callaway clubs which I love, they are a tad long though so how great to get a fitted set!”

The 12-year-old is a spirited, competitive and a strong advocate for girls in golf

“Other girls should play golf to prove a point - girls can play, not just boys!” she said.

She is also one of 226 scholarship recipients who graduated from the 2021 scholarship program. To reward and recognise an outstanding girl who demonstrated a great commitment to the program and dedication to their golf, clubs were invited to submit one nomination per program.

Peta Van Wyk, Junior Coordinator from the club believed Lilli demonstrated the required attributes of a committed scholarship participant that made it an easy task to nominate her.

“Lilli’s commitment was obvious as she was sighted regularly on the course practising and playing nine holes between lessons. Lilli’s dedication to develop her skills under the guidance of coach Shani Waugh has seen her progress from a new golfer to being absolutely engrossed in the sport,” she said.

“She was awarded the most improved handicap for B-grade and won the 9-hole stroke Junior Championship. Lilli was also selected to play girls pennant for the club and travelled 2 hours each week to compete in the Golf WA pennant season in Perth.”

From humble beginnings where she noticed that lots of the men and boys played golf in her family, Lilli Andrew was determined to close this gap.

“I liked golf a bit, but more so I wanted to start a new generation of girl golfers in my family. Why should all the boys get to play?” she said.

This drive to “take on the boys!” spurred her on to enrol in a MyGolf program at the club and now, just one year later, she proudly boasts “I sometimes nearly drive as far as my Dad”.

Her younger sister, Bonni, seeing the fun and success Lilli was having is now also adhering to the ‘girl-power’ generation in the Andrew’s family as she has successfully obtained a AGF scholarship for 2022!

Watch out, these Andrew sisters may indeed be the future Serena and Venus Williams sisters of golf!

Clough was also thrilled.

“I love Callaway clubs, I use them now, but it will be amazing to have my own new set!”

Clough, now 14, started her golf when she was about 10 years old.

“My mum worked at a golf club so my brother, sister and I all just got into it. I had lessons and did some MyGolf clinics but then I kind of stopped playing for a couple of years.”

The catalyst to Clough’s triumphant return to golf was the Australian Golf Foundation Junior Girls Golf Scholarship program.

“I wanted to do more exercise and meet new people. Then I heard about the scholarship program which has encouraged me to play much more.”

Play more golf, meet new people, and exercise – Clough is doing it all!

“Over the school holidays, I rode my bike to the club and managed to play 18 holes nearly every day. My golf improved a lot during this time. Some of the lady members would see me and ask me for a round. I was grateful for this as I learned so much from them.”

Clough’s aim for her scholarship year was to obtain a handicap. Not only did she achieve this,

but she now regularly participates in junior and women’s events, is a superb role-model in the MyGolf Junior League team and has started playing Saturday’s.

“It’s a juggle with school and work, but my aim this year is to put in a lot more cards and drop my handicap to 35. I have even taken myself off the roster at McDonalds so there is no risk of me having to work when I want to play each Saturday.”

Christine Burton, PGA Professional at North Haven and Clough’s coach submitted Clough’s nomination.

“I am extremely proud to nominate Bethany. Her pleasant, happy nature both on and off the golf course were a credit to herself and epitomized what the scholarship program is all about – having fun whilst learning and improving her golf,” Burton said.

“She has always encouraged her teammates in MyGolf Junior League and helped them no matter how they were playing.”

Clough has put forward her idea for clubs to adopt a Junior Captain – a great idea! It seems Clough possesses some wonderful leadership qualities that we hope golf as a sport can benefit from now, and in the future.

Golf sets have been kindly donated by Callaway, a brand that specialises in women’s golf equipment with lighter and more forgiving club options that make golfing easier and more enjoyable than ever before.

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.

In 2022, 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.

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.