Golf NSW today launched the Golf NSW Futures Program, designed to support the state’s elite amateurs and emerging professionals as they pursue their dreams of joining the sport’s elite on golf tours worldwide.

Whether a promising amateur aiming to graduate to the pro ranks or a rising pro striving to make it to a major tour, the Golf NSW Futures Program is there to assist with the support and resources needed to take that next step.

The program addresses a gap by providing financial and developmental support to individuals without adequate assistance, scholarships or funding from other sources.

While the Golf Australia Rookie Program offers support nationally, the Golf NSW Futures Program will be an integral part of the support matrix, nurturing talented golfers from Australia’s most populous state who display the potential to compete on the world stage.

Graeme Phillipson, chief operating officer at Golf NSW, said the program filled a gap in support for talented players leaping from life as amateurs into their early years as professionals.

“We recognised a critical gap in support for talented players transitioning from amateur to professional golf,” Phillipson said. “With its tiered approach, the program ensures we can provide targeted assistance at each stage of a player’s development.”

Why Golf NSW Futures?

The pathway to success in professional golf is challenging.

Golf NSW believes that the Golf NSW Futures Program will cultivate the next generation of golf stars from NSW by identifying those who are committed, talented and willing to push boundaries.

The Golf NSW Futures program offers support in multiple tiers based on the athlete’s stage of development:

  • Futures Tier 3: Emerging Professional – Elite amateurs transitioning to professional status
  • Futures Tier 2: Developing Professional – Recently turned pros honing their skills on developmental tours
  • Futures Tier 1: International Tour Professional – Established pros competing on major global tours
     

The Golf NSW Futures Program is already proving its value through the success of its first cohort of talented athletes: Kelsey Bennett, Jye Pickin and Corey Lamb.

Mollymook’s Bennett has achieved a significant milestone by securing her Ladies European Tour card for 2025. Bennett’s graduation to one of women’s golf’s premier tours represents the progression the Golf NSW Futures Program will foster.

The Hunter Valley’s Lamb is making significant waves in professional life after several standout performances over the Australian Summer of Golf. Positioned comfortably inside the top 10 of the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit, Lamb’s recent results suggest he is well-positioned to follow in the footsteps of several other NSW alumni who used strong domestic performances as a springboard to international tour representation.

Former NSW state team captain Pickin is navigating his rookie season on the PGA Tour of Australasia. Pickin’s transition from leading amateur to professional life exemplifies the Futures program’s mission of supporting talented players through the challenging early stages of their professional careers.

Phillipson said witnessing the first cohort of athletes make significant strides in their professional careers was especially encouraging.

“The early success of our Golf NSW Futures Program validates our vision to support NSW’s emerging golf talent,” he said. “Seeing Kelsey Bennett secure her LET card for 2025 is exactly the kind of breakthrough moment we hoped to foster when launching this initiative.”

“Corey Lamb’s impressive performances in last year’s Ford NSW Open and Jye Pickin’s transition onto the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia demonstrate the program is delivering on its promise.”

Program highlights

Through the Golf NSW Futures Program, Golf NSW is investing in athletes ready to step outside their comfort zones, with assistance to travel, compete, and represent NSW on the world stage.

  • Financial assistance depending on the tier and individual needs
  • Support with travel, international tournament expenses and qualifying schools
  • Performance support, including coaching, physical training, and mental conditioning

By nurturing this talent, we aim to grow the sport and ensure a strong future for our great game across NSW.

How to support the Golf NSW Futures Program

Golf NSW has made it easy for individuals and businesses to support our best as they chart their way through the world of professional golf by making tax-deductible donations through the Australian Sports Foundation.

To donate via the Australian Sports Foundation, click here

Golf NSW believes athletes assisted by the program will enhance their careers and play a crucial role in promoting the growth of golf in NSW and Australia.