Sophie Minchinton and Sam Rumpff earn Rotary Darwin golf scholarships

Two young Territorians, one from Darwin, the other from Alice Springs, will travel to Queensland next year to level up their careers and drive down their handicaps, after winning scholarships.

Two junior golfers have earned themselves a chance at invaluable tuition which will help develop their skills for the future.

Darwin’s Sophie Minchinton (12) and Alice Springs’ Sam Rumpff (16) are 2024’s Rotary Club of Darwin scholarship recipients.

The duo are both on the radar of Golf Australia (GA) and are part of the GA Junior Emerging Talent Program.

Junior section winner of the NT Classic and runner-up in the NT Country Championships, Rumpff, told GA the trips to Queensland next year, where he’ll work with GA’s high performance staff, would improve his game and take him to the next level.

Sam Rumpff, 16, from Alice Springs has earned a Rotary Scholarship. Picture: Golf Australia.

“It means the world to me,” he told GA in a recent interview.

“I’ve been working really hard on my game [recently] and felt like it has been in a really good spot, especially the last half of the year.

“I feel like being in the most remote part of the country is a massive barrier as it restricts access to courses coached and facilities, and receiving this scholarship gives me access to some of the best coaches in the country, and being able to practise and learn with the best players in Queensland and in the country.”

Rumpff said another downside to living remotely is the lack of players his age to test himself against regularly.

“Living remotely means there’s not a lot of competition and a lack of juniors to be able to push myself against,” he said.

“Seeing these players it gives me something to chase, a goal for the big leagues and more passion to become the best player I can be.”

Sophie Minchinton, 12, from Darwin has earned a Rotary Scholarship. Picture: Golf Australia.

The other scholarship recipient, Minchinton, has made huge strides in a short amount of time, having picked up the clubs just two years ago.

At a handicap of 37 when she began, she’s since slashed that number to 13 with the aim of making 12 come Christmas.

She also told GA that her dream is to one day turn pro and play on the LPGA circuit.

ROTARY CLUB JUNIOR GOLF SCHOLARSHIP INFO

• Entry into a high-profile Queensland junior event.

• PGA professional sessions (in Queensland).

• Play golf with members from the Queensland’s high performance program.

• Visit Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) and spend time with QLD’s QAS squad.

• Flights and accommodation.