The Women in Golf Awards has announced the inaugural recipients of the Kate & Justin Rose Foundation Bursary, a landmark initiative designed to open doors for women under 21 who are building careers across the golf industry.
From greenkeeping to sports engineering, the three awardees reflect the remarkable range of paths that are drawing the next generation of women into the game.
The bursary was born from a simple but powerful conviction: that talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not.
By funding access to education, training, and professional development, the Foundation aims to ensure that financial circumstances never become the ceiling for a young woman’s career in golf.
Meet the recipients
Sophie Easton
Sports Technology student, Loughborough University & Process Engineering intern, PING Golf:
“The conference provided a fantastic opportunity to learn about the latest research and innovations from both academia and industry… I am excited to continue building a career in the golf industry, contributing to the ongoing relationship between golf and engineering.”
Natasha Perry
Events & Marketing Co-ordinator, Bramshaw Golf Club & The Bell Inn:
“It will allow me to expand my knowledge, gain valuable new skills, and bring fresh ideas back to my role in marketing and events at the golf club. I am excited to use what I learn to improve my work and contribute to the club’s success.”
Esme Sothcott
Greenkeeper, Ferndown Golf Club
“I’m proud to be part of Ferndown Golf Club, where I’ve already learned so much, and I’m excited to use this opportunity to further my development and contribute to the future women in my profession.”
What unites these three women is not just their talent but their drive.
Sophie attended the International Sports Engineering Association Conference in Washington, gaining insights into the technologies shaping the future of sport.
Natasha is completing a CMI Team Leader Diploma alongside a digital marketing program to sharpen both her leadership and her command of the AI industry.
And Esme — new to greenkeeping but already deeply committed — is working through the BIGGA Kickstart program, laying the foundations for a long career in turfcare.
Together, their stories make a compelling case for what targeted investment in young women can achieve.
Each recipient brings something different to golf, a different discipline, a different stage of career, a different corner of the country, and each will now go further, faster, with this support behind her.
The second application window opens on 1 September and closes on 30 November.
If you know a young woman under 21 who is building her career in golf and would benefit from bursary support, encourage her to apply. The industry she is shaping will be stronger for it.
Learn more about the bursary and the second application window: womeningolfawards.co.uk/kateandjustinrosefoundation ↗