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R&A Foundation
WAAP Academy impact evident as emerging talent shines at Royal Wellington
07 Apr 26
4 mins
The impact of The R&A Foundation’s support for the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific (WAAP) Academy was clearly evident at the 2026 Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific played at Royal Wellington in February, where a number of participants translated opportunity into progress at the region’s pre-eminent women’s amateur championship.
The WAAP Academy was established to address disparities in access to elite coaching across the Asia-Pacific region, providing players from emerging golfing nations with the tools, knowledge and confidence to compete and to believe they belong on the international stage. Held in December 2025, players from nine countries came together for the week-long programme where they received specialist training from an experienced high-performance team, including Technical Director John Crampton, short game coach Scott Barr, swing coach Andrew Welsford, data and Trackman specialist Ryan Lumsden and the New Zealand Campus of Innovation and Sport strength and conditioning team. Their combined expertise ensured each participant received targeted guidance to support both immediate improvement and long-term development. When they returned to Royal Wellington for the WAAP, these players were ready to compete with a deeper sense of familiarity and confidence having already experienced both the course and the high-performance environment.
Kaya Daluwatte was the first Sri Lankan to make the cut for the WAAP.
Championship preperation
While Yunseo Yang of Korea enjoyed a runaway victory, equally significant was the performance of Sri Lanka’s Kaya Daluwatte, who became the first player from her country to make the cut in the championship. Having attended the WAAP Academy, Daluwatte credited the experience with helping her better understand both the course and the demands of elite competition. “The WAAP Academy helped me a lot. I learned how to strategise, where my tee shots will go and how to putt on this course. The greens are very different from home, very slopey, so I gained a lot of information that helped me.” Speaking about representing her country, Daluwatte said, “I’m very proud, Sri Lanka is a small country and not many girls play golf, hopefully I inspire more girls to play and take up the sport. “I hope to not be the only Sri Lankan to make the cut. Hopefully many more in the future will make the cut at this lovely championship. But it’s pretty cool to be the first.” Her achievement represents more than a personal milestone, it is a moment of progress for women’s golf in Sri Lanka, and a powerful example of the WAAP Academy’s wider purpose.
Elise Barber and her caddie and father at the WAAP.
One of the most compelling stories of the week was that of Royal Wellington member Elise Barber, who received a late invitation to compete on her home course after impressing staff at the WAAP Academy.
At just 13 years old, Barber showed composure beyond her years to finish tied 44th, embracing the opportunity to test herself against the region’s best. Her journey from WAAP Academy participant to Championship competitor highlights the importance of creating accessible, early pathways for young talent.