Six people and organisations making a difference to young lives through golf have been celebrated at the 2026 Golf Foundation President’s Awards.
Hosted by Golf Foundation President Nick Dougherty at Wentworth on September 15, the annual awards recognise inspirational individuals, schools, clubs and organisations helping make golf more accessible, inclusive and meaningful for the next generation.
The awards were supported by PitchBook and marked the beginning of a major week for the Golf Foundation, which returns to Wentworth as Official Charity of the BMW PGA Championship for the second consecutive year.
SIX WINNERS CELEBRATED
Sir Francis Hill Primary School in Lincolnshire was named School of the Year after embracing the Golf Foundation’s Unleash Your Drive mental wellbeing programme.
A total of 357 pupils across six classes completed assessments before and after the programme, with results showing a 21% increase in pupils’ understanding of mental toughness tools and a 9% increase in wellbeing.
Link Golf UK was named Community Project of the Year for its work making public golf more accessible.
Having rescued a municipal golf course in Rochdale from closure in 2019, Link Golf now operates eight public golf facilities.
Children aged 16 and under can play for free, with weekly junior coaching and equipment provided, while its academies and junior programmes introduce more than 1,000 children to golf each year.
Indy Smith Peter received the Young Spirit of Golf Award for her work with the Elexis Brown Golf Foundation.
Inspired by the memory of her late sister Elexis, Indy has become an ambassador for the Foundation, supporting fundraising, community events and children taking their first steps into golf, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds and those with additional needs and disabilities.
Dainton Park Golf Club in Devon was named Junior Club of the Year after developing a pathway taking young golfers from their first experience of the game through to competitive golf.
The club’s junior section has grown from around 40 members in 2019 to 120 active juniors today, with its programme including academy coaching, GolfSixes, GolfNines, county pathways and the Unleash Your Drive mental wellbeing programme.
Rushcliffe Golf Club received the Fundraising Award after raising £8,444 for the Golf Foundation through events including a Charity Open, sponsored tees, raffles and competitions.
The prestigious Sir Henry Cotton Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to John Pritchard of Niddry Castle Golf Club in Scotland.
Pritchard delivered 282 golf sessions during 2025, including 85 Unleash Your Drive sessions in local schools.
His work has also included supporting the Beavers and Down’s Syndrome Scotland, developing coaches and creating opportunities for juniors, women and new golfers.
GRASSROOTS TO WENTWORTH
The President’s Awards form part of a significant week for the Golf Foundation at the BMW PGA Championship.
Having first become Official Charity of the event in 2025, the Foundation returns to the role this year, working alongside BMW and the DP World Tour to raise funds and awareness while giving spectators the opportunity to engage with its work.
The link between grassroots golf and the professional game will also be highlighted in the BMW PGA Championship Pro-Am, where the Golf Foundation has a team competing for the third consecutive year.
Gavin Moore, Dean Fair and 10-year-old Harrison Grainger earned their places through the Foundation’s 2026 Unleash Your Drive competition and Final and will have the opportunity to play alongside Ryder Cup-winning captain Luke Donald.
Golf Foundation Chief Executive Brendon Pyle said: “The President’s Awards are always one of the most special moments of our year because they recognise the people who make everything happen at grassroots level.
“These six winners show what is possible when passionate people use golf to create opportunities for young people.
Whether that is improving confidence and wellbeing in a school, removing the financial barriers to playing, creating a thriving junior pathway or simply giving up hundreds of hours to help others, their impact is incredible.
“We are hugely grateful to PitchBook for supporting the President’s Awards and helping us give these grassroots heroes the recognition they deserve.”
PitchBook President and COO Rod Diefendorf added: “PitchBook is proud to support The Golf Foundation and the work they do using golf to build confidence, lifelong skills and resilience.
“We believe in the power of community and relationships, which is why we wanted to be part of this year’s President’s Awards and celebrate those who are furthering that mission.”
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