The Royal and Ancient Golf Club Scholarship launched

The Royal and Ancient Golf Club Scholarship is a new award which is designed to identify, support and develop the next generation of golf’s leaders through financial support and unique connections to The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, The R&A and St Andrews.

This new scholarship programme, which is funded through The R&A Foundation and by Royal and Ancient Club members, has been designed to provide a unique opportunity for up to 12 talented individuals to fulfil their career ambitions by participating in this potentially life changing leadership-focussed experience.

This is a truly global programme which will be a flagship for The R&A Foundation and will strengthen The R&A’s existing networks with affiliates and other bodies within international golf.

As with all the work of The R&A Foundation, they are recognising their responsibility and commitment to the game of golf, to ensure that it will be thriving 50 years from now.

The scholarship programme offers funding but also the chance to be connected to a community of people who share their passion about the future of the game. Through mentorship, education and training, the programme will help these individuals to enhance their skills and knowledge, enabling them to become the next generation of leaders.

Whether as future agronomists, coaches, engineers, executives or innovators, the scholars will serve as golf’s ambassadors, defining the future of the game both on and off the course. The initiative is not designed to support elite amateur players during their studies, as The R&A Foundation Scholarship already excels in this mission, but rather to help create the strongest possible foundation for our sport as a whole.

The Royal and Ancient Golf Club Scholarship Applicants

Those who are interested in applying must be aged between 18–25, already have an active interest in golf and be able to demonstrate exceptional commitment and contributions to the game, in particular: 

• Have ambitions to contribute significantly to golf throughout their lives, including candidates interested in industry-specific education, for example - club management, agronomy, sports medicine, journalism or technology and equipment manufacturing.
• Volunteer actively within the golf community.
• Demonstrate resilience in overcoming challenges or adversity.
• Serve as role models for their peers, friends and the younger generation who look up to them by showcasing determination, aptitude and leadership.

The Scholarship Guidelines, answers to frequently asked questions and details of how to apply can be found here. Applications must be received by noon (GMT) on 25 April 2024.