Staff WriterIn a move that could shape golf’s next century more than a new putter grip or another slow-play penalty, the R&A Scholars 2025 have been announced—and they’re not your garden-variety interns fetching coffee at the clubhouse.
Now in its sophomore year, the R&A Scholars programme is quietly rewriting the blueprint for golf’s future leadership.
Eleven young talents from across the globe—including Spain, Kenya, Nepal, and New Zealand—have been chosen from over 300 applicants to join the R&A Scholars 2025 cohort.
And they’re not just dreamers; they’re scientists, athletes, marketers, and change agents armed with turf knowledge, tour experience, and an urge to dismantle golf’s old walls and build something greener, smarter, and more inclusive.
“This initiative is not only about recognising talent,” said Niall Farquharson, Chairman at The R&A, “but also empowering young people who are passionate about golf, progressing their careers in the golf industry and contributing to the sport in innovative and meaningful ways.”
Indeed, the R&A Scholars 2025 aren’t just here to carry the torch—they’re looking to redesign the flame.
Each recipient receives up to £10,000 annually for education, £5,000 toward golf-related endeavours, mentorship from a Member of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, and a golden ticket to a leadership conference in the Home of Golf itself.
Funded entirely by the Members of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, the scholarship isn’t just a pat on the back—it’s a shove in the direction of progress.
As Farquharson put it, “The Scholars come from a variety of backgrounds and share a collective ambition to break down barriers and shape the future of the game.”
So who made the cut? Here’s a closer look at the faces of the future:
Rocío Alvear González, Spain
With a strong background in agronomy through academic studies, work experience, and volunteering, Rocío is currently pursuing a PhD in Agro-Environmental Technology.
Her passion for golf and science powers her ambition to become a global leader in agronomy within the greenkeeping and golf industry.
Rocío imagines a modern future for golf, one that combines the needs of nature with those of players.
For her, golf is a unique opportunity to combine people, nature, sport, and agronomy, all of which she believes are essential for sustainability in the game.
Amy O’Donnell, Northern Ireland
Amy is a performance nutritionist delivering support services for the Ladies’ European Tour, Challenge Tour and The R&A, while also working with world-leading educational institutions to advance research into nutrition in both amateur and professional golf.
Amy most recently supported the 2024 European Solheim Cup Team and played a key role in the successful 2024 GB&I Curtis Cup Team. Amy also works closely with event promoters to ensure that food served meets performance nutrition standards for players and caddies.
Currently working on her Doctorate in golf and nutrition, she hopes her research and practical experience will inform male and female golfers, as well as support staff, on how to fuel effectively for performance, recovery and overall lifestyle, helping them to compete at the highest level.
Kashmira Shah, Nepal
Raised in Nepal, living just 100 yards from the sixth green of Royal Nepal Golf Club, Kashmira grew up watching others enjoy the game. Through a free clinic organised by the Nepal Golf Association, she developed a passion for golf and has since represented Nepal nationally in the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific championship (WAAP) and Asian Games.
Kashmira has ambitious plans to grow golf in Nepal with a special focus on developing the women’s game. This scholarship will enable her to pursue a Masters degree in Golf Management before embarking on a career in Club Management, where she aims to create programmes that increase diversity.
Guy Harrison, New Zealand
As the top-ranked player on the European Disabled Golf Association (EDGA) rankings in New Zealand and the first from his country to compete in a G4D event, Guy is a leader in disability golf. Living with cerebral palsy, he is a passionate golfer, swimmer and all-round athlete.
Guy’s ambition is to develop a single All-Abilities golf programme for New Zealand, bringing together multi-class athletes under one system with clear pathways to international competition. He also hopes to inspire future generations, regardless of age or background, to believe in their potential: “If I can do it, why can’t you?”.
Anderson Kiplimo, Kenya
Having studied turf grass culture and management, landscape design, green space planning and soil science, Anderson also gained hands-on experience as a trainee and intern at golf courses across Africa.
He aspires to become an international golf course superintendent at world-class courses. Anderson is passionate about mentoring others and guiding them towards their own goals within the golf industry.
He is also committed to promoting diversity by encouraging participation from people of all ages and backgrounds, helping to create a more inclusive future for the sport.
Claudia Mazarita, Australia
A Human Resources professional currently working for Golf Australia, Claudia is committed to driving inclusive participation and workforce development across the golf industry.
She believes that this scholarship alongside her MBA studies will equip her with the strategic, financial and leadership skills needed to navigate the complexities of sports governance, workforce growth and industry development.
Claudia’s ambition is to step into an executive leadership role within golf where she can influence lasting change and implement impactful programmes which will help to make golf Australia’s largest and most inclusive participation sport.
Cameron Kpedekpo, Scotland
Combining his passion for playing golf with experience as a caddie and work with junior players, Cameron brings a unique perspective to the sport.
With a business degree and an entrepreneurial mindset, he is currently studying on the PWC Flying Start programme – a unique course that combines university study with professional experience at PWC and progress towards the ICAEW Chartered Accountancy qualification.
Cameron’s ambition is to become a CEO with a major golf organisation where he can lead positive change and help secure the future of the sport for generations to come.
Ramya Meenakshisundaram, USA
With a strong background as a college golfer and mini-tour player on The ANNIKA Women’s All Pro Tour, Ramya now works in golf marketing on campaigns across the PGA TOUR, LPGA and Ryder Cup.
Aware of the significant gaps in player support, particularly in women’s golf, she is passionate about developing practical resources for players and creating innovative solutions that better connect athletes with corporate stakeholders.
Ramya’s goal is to help shape a future where the business of golf operates more equitably for everyone involved.
Ellen O’Gorman, Ireland
Inspired by watching her mother represent Ireland in golf and later face the challenges of joint replacements, Ellen developed a strong passion for physiotherapy.
Combined with her own achievements as an amateur golfer, this experience gave her valuable insight into the unique physical demands of the sport.
Her MSc research in Sport and Exercise Medicine focused on injuries and strength training in female amateur golfers, highlighting the need for more golf-specific physiotherapy, especially for women, who remain underrepresented in sports research.
Ellen’s ambition is to become a leading physiotherapist in sports medicine, specialising in golf, and to lead a multidisciplinary team that combines physiotherapy and sports science to support golfers worldwide.
Eli Trestan, Canada
Eli is currently the Senior Coordinator for First Tee – Canada at Golf Canada where he leads national youth golf programmes focused on enhancing accessibility, developing life skills and creating community impact.
Building on his experience and the leadership, financial and policy skills gained through his MBA, Eli aims to use innovative programming, partnerships and technology to modernise how golf is experienced.
By influencing decision-making at the highest levels, advocating for change and implementing strategies that promote meaningful and sustainable growth, his ambition is to help redefine the future of golf, transforming it from a traditional pastime into a sport that welcomes and unites participants worldwide.
Jaime Canal Campos, Spain
Growing up in a family of greenkeepers, Jaime has an appreciation for both playing and the care and management of golf courses.
Passionate about sustainability, he is determined to become a global leader in greenkeeping and agronomy, with a focus on water conservation, integrated pest management and traditional course design.
Jaime aims to learn from leading experts in the field to help future generations enjoy golf in a way that respects both the sport’s traditions and the environment.
As part of The R&A Foundation’s broader mission, the R&A Scholars 2025 initiative isn’t just another scholarship—it’s a seedbed for revolution.
Whether it’s golf’s playing surfaces, its nutritional science, or its administrative corridors, these young minds are laying foundations for a more forward-thinking, inclusive, and accessible sport.
This August, the cohort will descend on St Andrews for a leadership and networking conference—essentially golf’s answer to Davos, minus the snow and self-importance.
There, they’ll meet last year’s scholars and start weaving together a global network of like-minded trailblazers.
To borrow a phrase from the fairways: the future of golf is no longer stuck in the rough. The R&A Scholars 2025 are driving it straight down the middle—only this time, the course looks refreshingly different.
Learn more:📍 www.randa.org/foundation
