Young Ambassadors

The Golf Foundation alongside our partners at England Golf are delighted to be working with a fantastic group of Young Ambassadors to grow the game of golf. Learn more about the brilliant individuals here

Izzie Rowan

My parents have been encouraging me to play golf for almost 11 years but I didn’t give in until about 18 months ago when I started having lessons with my friend.

I entered the EZGO tournaments earlier this year and was hooked - wish I'd listened to my parents earlier. A little more than a year ago I joined Sturminster Marshall Golf Club where my coach really helped me to find a love for the game.

I enjoy golf as you spend time outdoors in the fresh air, but also the competitive element pushing yourself to be the best you can be. Golf teaches you some good life lessons like patience, accepting bad luck as just part of the game and to keep going without losing your temper - because if you do your play only goes downhill.

It is like a lesson for life.

Tamir Khan

Currently a junior member at Sudbury Golf Club, studying for my A levels with aspirations of continuing onto university to study international relations and politics.

Golf has developed my soft skills, physically and mentally, I feel stronger and remain much calmer under pressure. The most important skill I have learnt from the game is playing which has helped mould my character inside and outside the clubhouse.

I enjoy golf because of the exposure of social diversity. On the golf course I have partnered Doctors, Pilots, CEOs, University students to name but a few.

This empowering experience has made me a more confident individual and aspired me to want to change the perception of the game to become more attractive and inclusive to my peers.

Djalece Van Der Merwe

Djalece first discovered her passion for the game when her dad wanted someone to play a round of golf with, and introduced her to the sport.

Since she was 7, she has been playing golf with her twin sister (both left-handed players) and has eventually become junior Captain of both her home club - Telford Golf & Spa Resort and the Shropshire Ladies County Golf Junior team.

Djalece has especially enjoyed competing in the American Golf England & Northern Ireland Junior Open final in 2016 and looks forward to competing in the upcoming Junior European Open final in Spain.

Djalece loves volunteering at her club, coaching other juniors, as well as being able to compete for both the junior and ladies county team from time to time. She has found teaching juniors to play and persevere with the game extremely rewarding and cannot wait to continue this as an ambassador.

Ryka Verma

My name is Ryka, and I am 14 years old, I live in South Staffordshire and I have a younger sister who is also a keen golfer.

I had my first experience playing golf with my cousin at the age of seven and I was instantly attracted to the sport. I was very fortunate to find a great golf academy for juniors at 3 Hammers Golf Complex and have been playing golf ever since.

During my golf journey, I was able to participate in the Golf Sixes League and have been part of the Girls Golf Rocks programme.I have recently become a member at South Staffordshire Golf Club, where I have had the opportunity to gain my handicap and play in various competitions.

I now have the pleasure of inspiring others to take on this fantastic sport in collaboration with England Golf and the Golf Foundation.

Alex Holding

I am 22, based in Oxfordshire and most passionate about student involvement within golf.

In developing my own game and making lifelong friends playing golf at university, I believe educational spaces are a great platform for connecting young golfers.

As an ambassador, I wish to contribute to the engagement and growth of golf’s wide ranging opportunities for young golfers of all demographics.

Jen Myers

I’m 17 years old and I have been playing golf since I was about 9.

My love for the sport has grown and is something I want a career in.

My other interests are watching movies and cooking!

Lucy Robinson

Lucy hasn't been playing golf for a very long time but has quickly fallen in love with the sport.

She finds the game has helped her become more confident and wants to promote the benefits it has for both physical and mental health.

As well as golf, Lucy plays the clarinet and is a member of a local youth choir. She also aspires be able to communicate with as many people as possible and so is currently learning a couple of foreign languages.

Chloe Saunders

Junior coaching sessions at Yeovil Golf Club werewhat encouraged me to begin playing golf.

I love the idea that the handicap system allows anyone to have a chance to win, no matter their ability (and also how it gives me a chance to win against my dad!)

I am aware of the negative stereotypes about golf and as a young ambassador hopes to promote how golf is not only “an old man sport” but one of the most inclusive sports for all to participate.

Bea Cheverton

I’m Bea (15) and I love all things golf: whether that be playing, competing or watching it on the telly. I am very passionate about sharing my love of the sport with others and encouraging as many people to get involved as possible.

Emily Horsted

Emily is a single figure handicapper who started playing golf at Peterborough Milton Golf Club and now enjoys playing at Woodhall Spa Golf Club as well.
As a member of the Girls Golf Leadership Panel and an ambassador for the England Golf Trust, Emily wants to make a difference to golf by changing the mindsets of others to show that it is not just a sport for some but rather all ages and is particularly passionate about promoting the game to young people and get them involved.
Emily says that golf has helped her to build her confidence on and off the course and wants to show the benefits that golf has to mental health especially when playing golf with your friends.
Emily also enjoys her role as a Royal Air Force Air Cadet outside of golf and she says that one of her greatest achievements is flying a plane.

Kai Williams

I started playing golf from the age of four, and have continued to play and enjoy the game ever since. Over the years my passion in the game has grown. I am proud to share that during this time I have dedicated my efforts to help raise awareness and promoted diversity and inclusivity in golf through social media, TV and magazines. As a young ambassador my aim is to ensure that young people take up the sport and realise it’s for everyone to enjoy as much as I do.

Katie Amos

I have been a young ambassador for 2 years and team leader for the hero’s handshake award.
I am presently an undergraduate at Lincoln university where I am studying physical education and sport and represent the university as a student ambassador and play for the universities golf 1st team.
Previously club and county girls captain and presently Northamptonshire golf ladies champion of champions. Also I’m a left handed golfer!

Niamh Cripps

My name's Niamh, 15 years old and I have been playing golf since I was eight. Golf has always been something that I can do and just be myself. In 2019, I was diagnosed with scoliosis and had to wear a back brace for a year, however I was still able to use golf as something fun and a distraction from the problems I was having with my back. I love volunteering and have been helping out with the juniors at my club for almost five years. I became an ambassador to try and get more young people into a sport that I have enjoyed and has helped me so much.

Hannah Dymott

My name is Hannah and I started to play golf through my Dad taking me to play golf with my sister at the driving range. Through being a Young Ambassador I would love to change the stereotypes of the game and that it is a game for all to play. I want to encourage and promote junior golf and see more young people taking up the game. Golf is an amazing sport, which allows you to make life long friends.

Anya McKenzie

My name is Anya. I took up golf when I came across a putting challenge when shopping with my mum and it sparked a love for the game.
As a Girls Golf Rocks ambassador, I am already involved in supporting more girls to take up and play the game of golf.
Away from golf, I play bass guitarist and love art, drama, singing and my role as an army cadet.

Lily Walker

I am Lily and I started playing golf when the pro from my local golf club came to my school and help a taster session. From this I started weekly sessions and my passion for the game grew. I was the only girl at my club when I started playing, but stuck at it and helped encourage more girls to get involved.
I want to encourage more juniors to play the game and give it ago. It provides me with an escape from other pressures and enjoys the benefits it offers for mental health.

James Tucknott

James has gained experience and his love for the game of golf from his dad who is a PGA Professional. From starting on the Mini Tour Junior Golf Series within Cornwall to now being picked for the U18’s Boys County Squad, James has experienced junior golf at every level within Cornwall. His main goals for the next few years as a young golf ambassador is to increase the levels of junior golf and retention of juniors within clubs. Everyone in the golf industry including local golf clubs and County teams would all greatly benefit from a larger number of juniors playing and enjoying this great sport and hence why James’ biggest target this year is to help increase the numbers of juniors playing."

The Young Ambassadors are supported by three mentors (Ali, Sam and Emily) who have previously been part of the ambassador programme. 

Ali Jodiyawalla
'I have been playing golf for around 10 years and as the years have gone on I have become more and more passionate about changing the impression young people have about golf. Working with England Golf and the Golf Foundation has given me a platform to do this. I am now working part time in the industry as well as studying a golf management degree so I can continue to have an impact.'

Sam Barker-Sabido
Having operated as a Young Ambassador over the last couple of years, I become a Young Ambassador Mentor in January 2022 because I want to help the new Ambassadors to achieve their goals.

As a Young Ambassador, I worked on both the social media team, where I created and managed the Twitter account; and the print media team, where I was the lead writer for our monthly Midlands Golfer magazine articles.

I now work full-time for England Golf as Tournament Manager. This season I will be Tournament Director at seven tournaments and On-Site Administrator at four tournaments.

Emily Furniss
I have been playing golf since I was 12 years old, progressing from grassroots all the way up to England Under 18’s development squad level before attending university and becoming a golf team captain. I began volunteering for my local golf club aged 15, becoming a level 1 PGA coach and helping out at the Junior Academy, golf sessions for disabled juniors, New to Golf sessions and school programmes.

I volunteer because I want to give something back to the sport that has given me so many opportunities. The golfing family helped me through difficult times when I was injured, and it just seemed natural to give something back. I think more young people should get involved and try golf as it provides you with skills and friends for life.