Scottish Golf has announced the first cohort of its Young Leaders' Programme aimed at 16 to 24 year olds
Following the launch of Scottish Golf's Young Leaders’ Programme (YLP), they are thrilled to announce that the first cohort of participants has been successfully recruited. The programme is aimed at empowering the next generation to help address potential barriers and shape the future of the sport in Scotland. This exciting initiative brings together 11 talented young leaders from across the country, each eager to make a meaningful impact within their communities and beyond.
Meet the Scottish Golf Young Leaders:
Calum Stockton, 21, Arbroath Artisan Golf Club
Cameron Kpedekpo, 18, Mortonhall Golf Club
Cristiana Capaldi, 19, Bearsden Golf Club
Elise McQueen, 19, Dullatur Golf Club
Emma Jane Fraser, 19, Cawder Golf Club
Erin Huskie, 16, Stirling Golf Club
Erin Wilson, 18, Fairmont St Andrews
Jakob Dalland, 21, Dundas Parks Golf Club
Jasmine Riordan, 16, Royal Dornoch Golf Club
Keir Samson, 17, Bishopbriggs Golf Club
Rory Abercrombie, 16, Annanhill Golf Club
The Young Leaders' Programme aims to encourage young adults aged 16 to 24 to contribute significantly to the development of golf in Scotland. By harnessing the unique perspectives and experiences of young golfers, the initiative seeks to foster insightful viewpoints, passionate opinions, and innovative ideas to positively influence the sport's future.
Participants will engage in various projects focusing on key themes such as leadership, raising golf's profile, and career opportunities in golf. The programme includes peer-to-peer learning, development opportunities, and collaborative projects with golf clubs and partners.
Scottish Golf Young Leaders' Programme to showcase golf
The programme will run from January 2025 to September 2026, beginning with a welcome webinar at the end of January, followed by a face-to-face engagement day in February.
The programme aspires to showcase golf as a welcoming and accessible sport whilst driving change at both local and national levels through youth-led initiatives. By developing future leaders in the game of golf it will encourage both feedback and development direct from the young people themselves to guide future sustainable programmes and events.
Alan Oliver, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Manager, remarked: “It is such an exciting opportunity for Scottish Golf to be working with a group of passionate young leaders. I’m sure they’ll bring lots of personal insights, creative ideas and ultimately new perspectives on where and how the game of golf can be developed.
"We are very much looking forward to bringing all the individuals together and I am confident that we will have positive new ventures being devised across the scope of the two-year programme. It was pleasing to see a high calibre of applications and it was a very challenging to select the first cohort.
"So many young people display the enthusiasm and drive needed to develop our game. I would encourage all young golfers to approach their golf clubs to get more involved. This is only the start as we seek to show how influential the younger generation can be and how they can have a positive impact on the game”
Scotland's Game for Everyone
Robbie Clyde, Scottish Golf Chief Executive, added: “Scottish Golf’s mission is to make golf Scotland’s Game for Everyone. Many young people enjoy golf, and will be able to play it for their whole life - it is a unique sport in that respect. And we want more young people to take up golf – more girls especially - to enjoy all the benefits it can bring.
"In order that young people feel welcome in our sport, we need to listen to their experiences, take on their ideas about how we can support their ambitions, and showcase that golf can not only be a great sport to play, but it can provide a fulfilling career.
"This Young Leaders’ Programme is an incredibly exciting first step into creating pathways into golf, highlighting career opportunities but also for us as a governing body to learn about where those young people – who are the future of our sport – would like the game to go.”
With over 80% of club members being adults, and a well-recognised gender and age disparity within golf, this programme addresses the need for a more diverse and inclusive golfing community. By engaging young leaders, Scottish Golf aims to take the first steps to modernise aspects of the sport and ensuring it grows and remains accessible to future generations.
Find out more about the Scottish Golf Young Leaders' Programme here.