Opening Golf to the World
Women and girls
The R&A Women in Golf Leadership Programme launches in India with support from the DP World India Championship Legacy Fund
10 Jul 26
5 mins
The R&A Women in Golf Leadership Foundation Programme has launched in India for the first time, supported by funding from the DP World India Championship Legacy Fund as part of a shared commitment to grow the sport and create a lasting legacy for golf across the country.
Ten women working across the Indian golf industry have been selected to take part in the inaugural programme, which is designed to support emerging female leaders and help strengthen the future of the game. The participants recently attended an in-person workshop in Delhi, facilitated by The R&A and delivered by a leadership development specialist, marking the start of a development journey that will continue through to the DP World India Championship in October. The expansion of The R&A’s programme into India has been made possible through the DP World India Championship Legacy Fund, which was established to create meaningful and lasting benefits for golf beyond championship week. The Fund supports initiatives that help grow participation, develop talent and create opportunities within the sport across India. Jackie Davidson, Director – Golf Education at The R&A, said, “Opening golf to the world is at the heart of The R&A's strategy for the future of the sport. Through the support of the DP World India Championship Legacy Fund, we are delighted to bring the Women in Golf Leadership Foundation Programme to India for the first time and invest in the talented women who are helping shape the future of golf. "India represents an exciting opportunity for golf and an important part of our ambition to make the sport more accessible and inclusive. By supporting women to develop their leadership skills and advance their careers, we can help create a stronger, more diverse industry and inspire more people to engage with golf." Ben Cowen, Chief Tournament & Operations Officer at the DP World Tour, said, “We have had a strong commitment to golf in India over many years, so we are pleased to be supporting The R&A Women in Golf Leadership Foundation Programme through our DP World India Championship. "This is yet another great example of how we work with our partners to continue to help develop our sport in the countries we play in, providing meaningful opportunities and ensuring our golf is inclusive and accessible.” The Women in Golf Leadership Foundation Programme is a key component of The R&A's commitment to developing a more inclusive and diverse golf industry. The programme supports The R&A's strategic objective of opening golf to the world by empowering women to progress into leadership roles and helping ensure the sport better reflects the communities it serves.
The R&A launches Women in Golf Leadership Programme in India with support from the DP World India Championship Legacy Fund.
Since its launch in 2019, the programme has helped women working across golf build confidence, strengthen leadership skills and expand professional networks, supporting their progression into leadership positions throughout the sport.
The inaugural Indian cohort brings together women from a range of backgrounds and roles within the golf industry, reflecting the growing ambition and potential of the sport in the country.
Participants include:
- Swati Dodeja, BirdiesConnect
- Lavanya Nagesh, Prestige Golfshire Club
- Jagmeet Kaur Dhody, The Golf Revolution
- Siya Manna, Protouch Sports
- Shruti Khanna, Professional Golf Tour India
- Saaniya Sharma, Professional Golfer, Coach, International Referee
- Nalini Singh, The Indian Golf Union
- Malvika Miskita, The Indian Golf Union
- Vineeta Grover, Zen Golf Range and Academy
- Shruti Bansal, Zen Golf Range and Academy