Apply Now For 2025 Royal And Ancient Golf Club Scholarship

The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews is helping to discover and develop the future generation of leaders in the sport by opening up the application window for its 2025 Scholarship programme that could make an invaluable difference to the prospects of young people who wish to forge a productive career in the game.

Collaborating with The R&A Foundation, the Scholarship was launched last year and has proven to be a success, with ten Scholars being selected in 2024 from countries including Canada, France, India, Ukraine and the USA.

These Scholars - and those that will follow this year - will benefit from a programme that consists of generous financial support, the opportunity to connect with other like-minded individuals and The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews through mentorship from its members. 

What's in The Programme?

The programme consists of five key elements of support:

1. A bursary of up to £10,000 per year for educational costs

2. A bursary of up to £5,000 per year for golf related costs

3. Mentorship from within The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews’ membership

4. Membership of a peer support network of Scholars

5. A leadership conference in St Andrews

Collectively, these five elements form the unique programme, enabling Scholars to overcome any financial obstacles, while providing the expert guidance, lifelong connections and experience of excellence to inspire and equip the next generation of golf leaders around the world.

Who Can Apply?

If you are aged between 18 and 29 on 1 September 2025, are enrolled or will be enrolling in a nationally recognised academic or vocational qualification and can demonstrate an exceptional commitment to and active engagement in golf, you are eligible to apply.

The application process opened on Thursday 9 January and runs until Wednesday 12 March.

2024's Scholars will connect to their mentors and also gather together in St Andrews at the first leadership conference later this year.

Canadian Hannah Isinghood, who is embarking on a journey in the world of greenkeeping and course management, said: "It’s really awesome. The financial support is a big weight off my shoulders and I’ve been connected with my mentor through The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, who is fantastic. Then the trip to St Andrews is on the bucket list for anybody involved in the industry."

Other Scholars included Amanda Cunha of the United States, who lost her eyesight as a child and has become a leading adaptive golfer, who is now pursuing a degree in Communications at the University of Arizona. She was joined by compatriots Mason McKenna, an aspiring elite coach currently studying for a PGA Golf Management qualification, Sarah Brannigan, who has ambitions to work for a non-profit organisation dedicated to the sport, and young golf entrepreneur Tim Manzello who desires to develop his own apparel and equipment range.

Frenchman Simon Richalot is an aspiring course manager, while Ivan Malovychko is developing a golf coaching programme intended to support the rehabilitation of those physically and mentally affected by the conflict in his home country of Ukraine.

India's Atirath Deb Roy is a PGA Golf Management student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, while Northern Ireland's Ellie Smyth is studying Sport and Business Management at the University of Stirling, with James Harris, who is from the UK but currently gaining experience at Yas Links in the UAE, working towards his Club Managers’ Association of Europe qualification.

Each of these Scholars is focused on breaking barriers and promoting inclusivity, ensuring that golf is accessible and representative at all levels and in a strong place to face the challenges of the future.

Jackie Davidson, Director - Golf Education at The R&A, said, "Over 200 applications from across the world were received for The Royal and Ancient Golf Club Scholarship in 2024.

"That is testament to the appeal of this new Scholarship and the incredible opportunity it provides young people keen to commit their talents and energies to the future of golf. We were impressed by how our final round candidates represented themselves, and their leadership, ambition and intent rang loud and clear. We now look forward to new candidates applying to the Scholarship programme from all across the world in 2025."

If you or someone you know is eligible and would benefit from the 2025 Royal and Ancient Golf Club Scholarship, then applications can be made by visiting https://www.randa.org/en/the-royal-ancient-golf-club-scholarship.