Scholars in the first cohort of the Scholarship hailed from all over the world and included those with ambitions in golf club management.
This article is part of GCMA Insights – topical content for golf industry professionals, discussing the things that matter to those who work in golf clubs.
Applications are now open for the 2025 Royal and Ancient Golf Club Scholarship, designed to identify and nurture the next generation of golf’s leaders.
Last year saw the successful launch of the Scholarship – a collaboration between The R&A Foundation and The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews.
The programme not only includes generous financial support for young individuals keen to commit their talents and energies to the future of golf, but connects them to other like-minded individuals and to The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews through mentorship from its members.
The Club’s support for The Royal and Ancient Golf Club Scholarship saw a first cohort of 10 young men and women chosen though the inaugural programme last year, allowing the Scholars to make the most of opportunities previously out of their reach.
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Open to ages 18–29
The Scholars – from countries including Canada, France, India, Ukraine, the UK and the USA – will connect to their mentors and also gather together in St Andrews at the first leadership conference later this year.For the chance to be part of the 2025 Scholarship cohort, the application process opened on Thursday 9 January and runs until Wednesday 12 March.
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 Programme
The programme consists of five key elements of support:
- A bursary of up to £10,000 per year for educational costs
- A bursary of up to £5,000 per year for golf related costs
- Mentorship from within The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews’ membership
- Membership of a peer support network of Scholars
- A leadership conference in St Andrews
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Membership of the GCMA unlocks a network of like-minded professionals, provides you with support in your professional and personal development, and provides you with a multitude of benefits. Whether that’s the tools that will help you to excel in your profession, or a wide range of services to support your wellbeing, signing up to the GCMA is joining a community.
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.
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.”
Find out more and apply here
This article is part of GCMA Insights – topical content for golf industry professionals, discussing the things that matter to those who work in golf clubs.
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