The Duke of York Sports Foundation

Academic and Golf Scholarships

With the continuing success of The Duke of York Young Champions Trophy, the Duke of York Sports Foundation is now fulfilling its second objective, namely the creation of academic and golf scholarships for 13-18 year old players.

The aim of these scholarships is to give boys and girls the opportunity to focus on their golf whilst at the same time receiving a high standard of education. It is also hoped that these scholarships will give the best British and European juniors an alternative to studying and training in the USA.

There are two levels of scholarship:

• Stage 1: Aged 13-16 (Years 9-11)
• Stage 2: Aged 16-18 (Years 12-13)

After reviewing the suitability of a number of schools, the Duke of York Sports Foundation’s Advisory Board felt that Wellington College in Berkshire fulfilled all the criteria required to support both the academic and golf aspects of the scholarship, namely:

• One of the best independent public schools in Britain
• Co-educational (projected to have 360 girls and 560 boys by September 2010)
• International Baccalaureate offered
• 9-hole golf course and practice facilities on site
• Great location for top class courses (Wentworth, Sunningdale, etc.), coaching and major airports

In September 2007, Sam Williams (pictured with the Duke of York and John Simpson, Chairman of the Sports Foundation) and Murray Rose, both 14, became the first two beneficiaries of the annual scholarships on offer. During their first year they helped their school win the prestigious Gerald Micklem Cup and played in the 2008 Barclays Scottish Open Pro-Am at Loch Lomond with European Tour Professional Robert-Jan Derksen.

Sam, from Twyford in Berkshire, plays to a 2 handicap and, following a string of achievements in 2006, won the 2007 and 2008 Wales Junior Open and in 2009 the Wellington Club Championship. Murray, from Sudbury in Suffolk, had previously been studying at Colchester Royal Grammar School. In 2009 he was selected for the Suffolk elite squad, won the Stowmarket Junior Open and plays to a 4 handicap.

In May 2008, the third and fourth academic and golfing scholarships were awarded to brother and sister, Edward and Alexandra Peters, who are both members of Notts Golf Club (Hollinwell) and Beeston Fields Golf Club.

Edward, aged 17, plays off scratch, is a member of the U18 England Regional Squad and the 2009 captain of golf at Wellington College. Having won the 2008 Nottinghamshire county boys title - the first time a brother and sister have held both county Under 16 and Under 18 titles at the same time - Edward became the only person ever to have won all six of the age group county titles from Under 11 to Under 21.

Alexandra, aged 16, recently cut her handicap to +2 after becoming the youngest ever winner of the Ladies’ Nottinghamshire county championship. She continues to be a member of the English Women’s Performance Squad having enjoyed a string of successes in 2009 including the girls’ title at the Fairhaven Trophy and the Nottinghamshire girls’ championship. Having been runner-up in the Daily Telegraph Abu Dhabi Junior Championship in 2007 and 2008, Alex won the 2009 girls’ event by an astonishing five shots and finished third overall.

2009 saw the addition of the fifth and sixth scholars, Jordan Mann and Heidi Baek.

Jordan, aged 17 plays off 1 and is Captain of the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire U18 team. Meanwhile, Heidi, is 16, plays off +2 and like Alex is a member of the English Women’s Performance Squad. In 2008 and 2009, Heidi became the Suffolk ladies’ and girls’ champion, was runner-up in the 2009 girls’ Fairhaven Trophy and also finished third in the girls’ section of the Daily Telegraph Abu Dhabi Junior Championship.

With the introduction of the International Baccalaureate, the Duke of York Sports Foundation is now able to extend the scholarship opportunities to both UK and European players.

Candidates will be required to meet Wellington College’s academic standards and will be selected on a case by case basis and, whilst there is no official handicap limit, each candidate’s golfing ability must be of a high standard with clear signs of potential.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

On these scholarships and to obtain an application form, please contact:
Harry Richards Tel: +44 (0) 1932 796848 or email harry@jsa-ltd.com.

Click here for more on golf generally at Wellington College