One Young Ambassador's Journey
Creating opportunities for women and girls in golf
As the golf industry looks forward to the Women in Golf Awards in November, 18-year-old Ryka Verma’s journey shows us what the industry can achieve when it invests in young people from an early age.
A former Young Ambassador for the Golf Foundation and England Golf, Ryka first discovered golf almost by accident.
"I was walking the dogs whilst my cousins played," she recalls. "It was so peaceful and I thought, 'This is such a nice sport.'" With the support of her parents, she began group lessons at the age of 7, before progressing to South Staffordshire Golf Club, where she became junior captain – that’s when her passion for the game really took hold. Over the past few years, golf has become far more than a hobby.
"It's grown me as a person," she says. "It builds confidence, teaches respect and etiquette and it's mentally challenging. Whatever stage of life you're at, golf always has something to teach you."
Her Young Ambassador role gave her the opportunity to represent young golfers at major events, including speaking at the House of Commons alongside Nick Dougherty at the launch of Unleash Your Drive - the Golf Foundation initiative delivered in partnership with the BGIA - that introduces thousands of children to golf through schools.
For Ryka, standing in front of an audience of influential figures and schoolchildren was an event she will never forget.
Her dedication to growing the game and championing opportunities for young people was further recognised in 2024 when she was nominated for the England Golf Young Volunteer of the Year Award, celebrating her outstanding contribution to golf and youth development.
"I was quite a quiet person when I was younger," she explains. "Speaking in front of hundreds of people is something I never imagined I'd do. But those opportunities gave me confidence and public speaking skills that I still use today."
That confidence continues to shape her career. Now completing an internship with DP World Head Office in Dubai, while studying Accounting and Finance with PwC, Ryka says many of the communication, networking and writing skills she developed through golf continue to benefit her professionally. She has even gone on to support with producing media content for the Tommy Fleetwood Academy, building on experience first gained as a Young Ambassador having written articles for Midlands Golfer.
When asked what encourages more girls into golf, Ryka points to programmes that make the sport welcoming, social and enjoyable.
She credits Girls Golf Rocks with helping her make lasting friendships while building confidence in a relaxed environment. Initiatives such as Unleash Your Drive are equally important, introducing children to golf in schools and helping them discover the sport in a fun, accessible way before opening the door to further opportunities through clubs and community programmes. Together, these initiatives are helping to create the next generation of golfers, volunteers and industry professionals.
Ryka's advice to other young women? "Say yes to every opportunity," she says. "Even if you don't think you're qualified, go for it. Network, put yourself forward and commit. One opportunity often leads to another."
She also believes that seeing successful women in the sport matters. One of her biggest inspirations isn't a famous professional, but retired Headteacher Glennis Dawes, a long-serving volunteer who has supported junior and county golf in Staffordshire.
"She gives so much of her time because she genuinely wants the best for young people. That's incredibly inspiring," says Ryka. “Glennis has role modelled how a sport can support your physical and mental health throughout life.”
As the Women in Golf Awards celebrate outstanding women from across every corner of the industry, stories like Ryka's demonstrate why those achievements matter. They provide visible role models for the next generation while highlighting the value of programmes that nurture confidence, ambition and opportunity from an early age.
As a long-term supporter of the Golf Foundation and partner in initiatives such as Unleash Your Drive, the BGIA is proud to play its part in helping more young people discover golf and the opportunities it offers. Ryka is a wonderful example of what can happen when that investment is sustained.
Ryka Verma & Nick Dougherty