The first cohort of Scottish Golf’s Young Leaders’ Programme, a new initiative aimed at bringing new ideas into the game among the next generation, met in St Andrews for the first time last week.
Consisting of 11 talented youngsters from all around Scotland, the Young Leaders’ Programme’s aim is to provide a platform for those involved to offer a fresh perspective on the game and help drive new ideas.
As reported in The Scotsman, participants in the programme, which runs until September 2026, 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.
The group, who are all aged between 16 and 21, met for the first time at Fairmont St Andrews last week and also paid a visit to The R&A World Golf Museum to get a feel for the history of the game.
“It was absolutely fantastic to see these eleven young people finally come together in person, in the Home of Golf, to embark on a two-year journey of collaboration, learning and development,” said Alan Oliver, Scottish Golf’s diversity and inclusion manager. “We’ve had a really positive day, connecting the Young Leaders with The R&A, with Scottish Golf staff, introducing the key themes, and laying the foundations for an exciting programme.”
The group includes three 16-year-olds – Erin Huskie from Stirling, Royal Dornoch’s Jasmine Riordan and Annanhill member Rory Abercrombie – while fellow 21-year-olds Calum Stockton (Arbroath Artisan) and Jakob Dalland (Dundas Parks) are the oldest.
“Scottish Golf’s mission is to make golf Scotland’s ‘Game for Everyone’,” said CEO Robbie Clyde. “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.”