The Australian Golf Foundation Junior Girls Golf Scholarship program at Sanctuary Lakes Golf Club in Melbourne’s west is providing a launching pad for recipients to pursue further opportunities in the game.

Two of Sanctuary Lakes’ 2022 scholarship recipients have received further scholarship to chase their golfing dreams and Michael Willis, Golf Academy Manager based at the club, was delighted to play a crucial role in the girls’ journey.

“We are very proud of Alexandra Phanaruk, our 17-year-old who has received a golf scholarship to attend Florida State University next year and Sakura Yoshizawa who has been successful obtaining a Maribynong Golf College scholarship,” he said.

“The girls have been wonderful to work with as they listen and are enthusiastic. It is also exciting working in the girl’s space as there is so much opportunity for them to take their golf further and make it a career should they wish to.”

Another aspect of the scholarship program that everyone at Sanctuary Lakes’ is very proud of is that the six girls are a true reflection of the local community.

The club is located in the vibrant and multicultural suburb of Point Cook where more than half of the local population were born overseas.

“We have a fantastic group of girls with a range of cultural backgrounds,” Willis said. “It has been wonderful bringing these girls with backgrounds including Japanese, Vietnamese, Chinese and Thai together – they were rather shy in the beginning but now are always laughing as one.

“The scholarship program has been a great way to attract lots of cultures to golf.”

Applications are now open for 2023 funding. Visit Australian Golf Foundation website.

Australian Golf Foundation is thrilled to partner with NEXTGEN Group as the principal partner of the AGF Scholarship Programme in 2022, 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.