First cohort of Royal and Ancient Golf Club Scholars announced

Ten dedicated young men and women from across the world have been provided with new opportunities to excel in the sport through The Royal and Ancient Golf Club Scholarship.

The new award 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. Over 200 applications were received, from young people aged 18-25, testament to the unique opportunities offered by the new programme. The ten Scholars selected, from countries including Canada, France, India, Ukraine and the USA, are made up of players, coaches, agronomists and entrepreneurs with ambitions to break down barriers, shape golf’s future or rebuild lives through the sport. The programme consists of five 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

“This first cohort represents our Members’ continued commitment to shape the sport’s evolution while preserving its traditions and values,” said Niall Farquharson, Chairman of The R&A. “In barely a year, the generosity of our Club community has brought this idea to life.”

The first recipients of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club Scholarship are:

• Amanda Cunha, USA

Amanda lost her eyesight as a child but never her passion for golf. Now a champion adaptive golfer, she is dedicated to raising the profile and opportunities for golfers with disabilities. Hailing from Oahu, Hawaii, Amanda is now pursuing a degree in Communications at the University of Arizona to merge her love for golf with a career in broadcasting and become a role model and advocate for adaptive athletes. 

• Atirath Deb Roy, India 

Atirath Deb, from New Delhi, India, is a passionate PGA Golf Management student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. While his experience spans roles as a professional caddy on the DP World Tour and an Assistant Golf Professional, his true mission is to bring greater international representation to the upper ranks of the sport’s administration. He aspires to play on tour, and is dedicated to breaking barriers and promoting inclusivity, ensuring that golf is accessible and representative at all levels. 

• Ellie Smyth, UK

Hailing from Northern Ireland, Ellie is learning how to make her mark on the golf industry as she studies Sport and Business Management at the University of Stirling. She plans to promote live golf events by making them as exciting and engaging as possible to attract new and diverse audiences. With her dedication to excellent spectator experiences, Ellie envisions a career in the business of golf, blending tradition with innovation to create dynamic, inclusive events that bring more people into the sport.

• Hannah Isinghood, Canada

Hannah is forging a path to champion both environmental sustainability and opportunities for women in greenkeeping. While studying Turfgrass Management at Olds College, Alberta, her hands-on experience as a greenkeeper at Pebble Beach has fuelled her passion for making golf courses greener and more inclusive by inspiring more women to consider greenkeeping as a career. This scholarship will advance her goal of becoming a leader in sustainable golf course management.

• Ivan Malovychko, Ukraine

As a national golf champion from Kharkiv, Ukraine, Ivan is on a mission to use the power of golf to heal those impacted by the ongoing war. He is developing a golf coaching programme focussed on rehabilitating those physically and mentally affected by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. His commitment to both his country and the sport drives him to pursue further education in Golf Management as he aims to rebuild lives through the sport that shaped his own.

• James Harris, UK

James is an aspiring Club Manager working towards his Club Managers’ Association of Europe qualification.  Originally from the UK but currently gaining international experience working at Yas Links in the United Arab Emirates, he has worked his way up at the club from his start as a runner to now leading on staff training and management for all golf operational personnel. James has ambitions to pursue online business modules at Cornell University alongside his commitments at Yas Links.

• Mason McKenna, USA

Mason is an aspiring elite coach currently studying for a PGA Golf Management qualification. He is focused on breaking down barriers that can often prevent young people from entering the game, especially in childhood.  His scholarship will enable him to complete his studies at the University of Nebraska whilst continuing to volunteer at a local YMCA group where he coaches juniors.

• Sarah Brannigan, USA

Sarah’s introduction to golf was through a First Tee programme run in the Bronx, New York. A natural leader she set up a girls’ caddy programme, She Can Carry, at her home club in New York, and now has ambitions to work for a non-profit organisation dedicated to the sport. Sarah will use the scholarship to study Business and Finance at Georgetown University in Washington DC, where she has already connected to the First Tee Chapter close to Georgetown to continue volunteering.

• Simon Richalot, France

Simon is an aspiring golf course manager with a keen interest in climate change and water use on courses. He is in his final year of studying Golf Course Turfgrass Management at Pennsylvania State University and having interned at Oakmont Country Club this year, will return there in 2025 as a full time agronomist focusing on helping with US Open course preparations.  

• Tim Manzello, USA

Tim Manzello is a young golfing entrepreneur with ambitions to develop his own apparel and equipment range. He is currently studying for a Bachelor of Science in Recreation, Park and Tourism Management alongside the PGA Professional Golf Management programme at Pennsylvania State. Tim plans to combine his studies with continued volunteering in golf and developing a not-for-profit apparel line available for first-responders, in recognition of their contribution to society and the opportunities golf provides to decompress from their demanding work schedules. Applications for the 2025 Royal and Ancient Golf Club Scholarship will open in January 2025 with more information here.