Throughout the year, Courtney Docking, PGA Bridging Program student and WPGA/LPGA Professional based at Royal Hobart Golf Club has been empowering five girls to become golfers.
“Being confident and able to play is where we want to end up,” Docking said.
For the first half of the girls’ scholarship year, Docking focused on skill development. Now with girls equipped with the basics of golf, learning to apply these skills on the course and becoming a golfer is the goal.
“We have now moved most of our lessons on course where we learn about rules, pace of play and etiquette,” Docking said. “Each week we are gradually playing more holes in our allocated time.
“My aim is to upskill the girls, so they are able to come out and play with family, friends and fellow club members without me.”
Docking is well on the way to achieving her aim with one girl getting her 18-hole handicap and another in the process, while one girl is going for her 9-hole handicap and two others are in the process.
“It has been great to see not only more girls at Royal Hobart playing golf, but in general around Tasmania,” she said. “The scholarship program is fantastic, and I hope more clubs can get involved next year.”
Applications for funding are now open. For more information visit the Australian Golf Foundation website.
Australian Golf Foundation is thrilled to partner with NEXTGEN Group as the principal partner of the AGF Scholarship Programme, 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.
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, who originally established the program at Killara Golf Club, NSW.