Golf: NZ Golf on lookout for next Lydia Ko Scholarship recipients

Lydia Ko poses during the pro-am prior to the start of the HSBC Women's Champions. Photo / Getty Images

he Lydia Ko Scholarship returns this year and registration is now open.

This scholarship programme will see two promising female amateur golfers receive a hands-on guidance and mentoring from Lydia Ko and her team of providers.

Each year, the two selected golfers will travel to Lydia's training base in Florida for a week where they spend time with Ko, learning what it takes to reach the top in the sport.

The world number one has recently been back in the country where she inspired many with her third ISPS Handa New Zealand Women's Open title, which will no doubt encourage many more aspiring female golfers to apply for this exciting opportunity.

Ko commented on the scholarship showing her class outside the ropes once again.

"I am really pleased to be able to work with New Zealand Golf and in a small way help the next young golfers. I received assistance from so many people as I was growing up and it is nice to be able to give something back. I'm looking forward to spending time with the recipients and hopefully they enjoy their time with me," said Ko.

Over the years of developing her game, Lydia surrounded herself with a strong support team that helped her develop all the skills necessary to play elite golf on the worlds' best courses against the worlds' best golfers.

When the time came for Lydia to test her skills internationally, she was fortunate to receive the necessary support. Ko is looking to give back and help offer similar if not better opportunities to New Zealand's up and coming talents.

Chief executive of New Zealand Golf, Dean Murphy is happy to see the scholarship going ahead for the second year running and couldn't speak higher of our world number one.

"Lydia shares New Zealand Golf's goal of wanting to see more New Zealand golfers succeed on the international stage and we are delighted to be working closely with her on this initiative," said Murphy.

"The scholarships are a brilliant initiative which provide a truly remarkable opportunity for young New Zealand female players. Lydia is a wonderful ambassador for our sport and our country and this will be a once in a lifetime experience for the scholarship recipients."

Dean Murphy continued: "I cannot overstate how special an opportunity this is and for me, this underlines what a special person Lydia Ko is. At such a young age and so early in her career, she is already looking at ways to give back. This is an incredibly generous gesture and really demonstrates Lydia's wonderful character."

Applications for the 2016 scholarship programme close on the March 31.