Latest news with #SeanConneryFoundation
The Herald Scotland
29-07-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Women's golf in Scotland continues to play catch up
Think of auld Cammy and Norrie necking back 12 cans, blethering about the fitba and dozing off as the chip pan goes ablaze and you get the general idea. If hygge doesn't float your boat, then there's always niksen, which is the Dutch notion of doing absolutely nothing. Or you could try fika, which is the Swedish art of the coffee break. It's actually the favoured concept of the sports editor who regularly pores over this column with a chipped mug of Nescafe Gold Blend and mutters, 'what the fika is he writing about now?'. Or something like that. So, what are we going to write about this week? Well, let's have a meander along with the amateur-to-professional transition. Lottie Woad seems to have mastered it. Her victory in the ISPS Handa Women's Scottish Open on Sunday in her first start as a professional was a quite tremendous effort. Forget hygge, niksen or fika. Perhaps 'Lottie' could become a type of buzzword for self-help in golf? While Woad marched to glory at Dundonald Links, a programme aimed at boosting various layers of women's golf here in Scotland was launched. As part of the initiative, some funding to help smooth the path between the amateur game and the professional scene was unveiled. We all know that birling here, there and everywhere as a touring golfer can lead to the kind of eye-watering expenses sheet that would make Auric Goldfinger choke on his bullion. In the women's game, with fewer playing opportunities, smaller prize pots but just as much outlay, the figures often don't add up. That earlier 007 reference is quite apt. Financial assistance to the leading Scottish players is being provided by the Sean Connery Foundation. Not quite Licence to Kill, more licence to help with some of the bills. Hannah Darling, who made her pro debut at Dundonald, and Lorna McClymont, who is in her rookie year on the Ladies European Tour, are the first recipients of this funding with more, hopefully, to benefit in the next few years. This amateur-to-pro lark, both in the male and female game in Scotland, has caused much head scratching and teeth gnashing down the seasons. Scores of talented amateur golfers were tipped for great things but, upon turning pro with little financial backing or a hand to guide them, struggled to keep their heads above water and disappeared into obscurity. A number of years ago, Iain Stoddart, the effervescent head of the Bounce management firm which has nurtured Robert MacIntyre's career, pieced together a meaty document broadly equivalent to the Beveridge Report as he mapped out a plan to bolster the health of the country's rookie pros. The tome was called 'Fusion Scotland' and it essentially called for the various stakeholders involved with Scottish golf to work together for a wider cause. In a such a fragmented scene as Scotland, with different bodies all protecting their pockets of power and influence, it was a complex exercise in gentle shepherding that was akin to a vast sheepdog trial. Stoddart and his team identified the problem areas and, over time, did a grand job in helping a new generation find their feet and prosper. The hope now is that a fresh wave of women golfers can benefit from the Connery Foundation's support. Finding our next Catriona Matthew was never going to be easy. We were spoiled by her trailblazing triumphs and wonderful longevity even though, in a wider sporting sense, her achievements were often woefully under appreciated. You could probably say that about UK women's golf in general. The exploits of the aforementioned Woad have certainly attracted plenty of attention. It probably helps that she, dare I say it, is English. But as various female pursuits garner unprecedented levels of coverage, golf, by and large, still muddles on in the margins and seems to have missed the tail wind that's been gusting behind other women's sports. At a club level here in Scotland, meanwhile, the push on the female front goes on. The top brass at Scottish Golf, the amateur game's governing body, have set a target of increasing the number of female members at domestic clubs by 15 per cent come 2027. In an evolving and increasingly challenging landscape, that's a fairly ambitious target. Compared to the rest of Europe, Scotland's female membership rates have always been embarrassingly low. Historical shackles haven't helped. For years, many clubs in the game's cradle treated women with hostility. Ignoring half the population was never going to be a solid platform for future development, was it? In recent years, though, concerted and admirable efforts have been made to make golf more appealing to the good ladies of all ages and all backgrounds. There's still a lot of catching up to do, though. As long as young girls are coming into the game at the grassroots, then there's always hope of some green shoots and a healthier future at all levels, from the club scene through to the professional stage. Now, if you don't mind, I'm off to immerse myself in some hygge. Where's that bloomin' chip pan?
The Herald Scotland
23-07-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
New funding to resolve gender 'injustice' in Scottish golf
Scotland's most decorated female golfer, Catriona Matthew, played a key role in advising both the foundation and Scottish Golf on bringing the programme to fruition. Read more: "Experience has taught me that making that step from the top of the amateur game into the professional ranks can be tough a transition," Ms Matthew said. "We all want to see more Scots competing at the top of the women's game and this programme is designed to help bridge the gap for young professionals. "I know from captaining both Lorna and Hannah in last year's Curtis Cup that they are players with a bright future, and we all want to help them reach their full potential. By putting in place this programme and laying down strong foundations of support, my sincere hope is that many more aspiring Scottish players will follow Hannah and Lorna and benefit in the years ahead." The new programme comes on the back of Scottish Golf being able to send squads out to the Bahamas over the past two years through receiving support from the Sean Connery Foundation, which was established in 2020 to reflect the James Bond actor's passions and guiding principles. Read more: "He always wanted to champion talented people who couldn't otherwise get a break, backing excellence in need," his son Stephane Connery said. "Sean greatly admired the women's game, and he saw an injustice in how little attention it got in comparison to the men's." As part of Scottish Golf's broader "Women and Girls Strategy", a separate three-year fund is being established to support employment by its member clubs of full or part-time dedicated to growing and retaining female membership. Clubs looking to welcome more women and girls, and those seeking to build momentum and growth in female participation, will be eligible for support. The phased investment from the fund will be matched by the clubs. A further "Club Education Fund" targeted specifically at the female workforce is being established to upskill and retain employees within golf. Its ambition is to get more women into leadership, managerial and key decision-making positions within clubs.
Scotsman
23-07-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
'Dad would be so proud' - Sean Connery Foundation support for Scottish golfers
Timely boost for Hannah Darling and Lorna McClymont on eve of ISPS HANDA Women's Scottish Open Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Hannah Darling and Lorna McClymont have been given the chance to shine on home soil in this week's ISPS HANDA Women's Scottish Open through significant new support from the Sean Connery Foundation. Darling, who is making her professional debut, and McClymont, who made the switch to the paid ranks earlier this year, have both secured invitations for the $2 million event at Dundonald Links. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Sean Connery's sons Stephane, left, and Jason, right, pictured with Lorna McClymont and Hannah Darling at the launch of the new Scottish Women's Professional Transition Programme | Nick Mailer Photography In a timely boost, it has been announced that they are being supported in their new careers through a partnership between Scottish Golf and the Sean Connery Foundation, which was set up in 2022 to honour the memory of the James Bond star and golf fanatic. Part of a new Women and Girls Strategy, which was launched at Dundonald Links on the eve of world No 1 Nelly Korda making her debut in the ISPS HANDA Women's Scottish Open, the Scottish Women's Professional Transition Programme will initially see Darling and McClymont receive support over the next five years. 'It gives me a bit of a foundation moving forward,' said Darling, a two-time Scottish Girls' champion who was inside the top 20 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking when she decided to start the next chapter in her career. 'The people behind it have identified an area where they can really help us. 'With me and Lorna being the first to receive it, it's really nice. We can start our pro careers on the front foot almost and not worried about not making enough money to play the week after. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'The Sean Connery Foundation are stepping into that really well and it's exciting for us all. We played in the pro-am with them and that's what they said. They just wanted to make sure that we were set and go focus on playing golf rather than worrying about the finance or any of the stress that comes with it.' Though McClymont, who played on a winning Curtis Cup team along with Darling at Sunningdale last year, has done a good so far in that respect, the Stirling University graduate admitted this support is a huge boost. Jason Connery takes part in the ISPS HANDA Women's Scottish Open Pro-Am at Dundonald Links watched by Hannah Darling | Nick Mailer Photography 'I think it just takes such a weight off, which definitely helps,' she said. 'You're just able to go out feeling free and not worry too much because, at the end of the day, if you have stuff like that in your mind, then you're not going to be able to perform to your best.' Darling and McClymont were joined at the launch by Scottish No 1 Gemma Dryburgh, who also came through the amateur ranks and has gone on to win on the LPGA Tour and play in a Solheim Cup. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'It is massive,' she said of the new programme. 'I was lucky enough, ten years ago now, to get some funding from Scottish Golf, which was so helpful. When you are starting out in the pro ranks, it is hard to get sponsors and the expenses suddenly rack up because you are having to pay for everything. 'So it is going to be perfect for Hannah and Lorna and they are the people for it. It's amazing what the Sean Connery Foundation is going to do for them. 'They can just focus on the golf rather than worrying about how much a flight is going to cost for the next week or can I afford a caddie, all that kind of stuff that you don't have to worry about when you are an amateur. Gemma Dryburgh speaks with the media prior to the ISPS HANDA Women's Scottish Open 2025 at Dundonald Links |'It is great for them that they can kick on in their careers and not worry about the money aspect of it. Yeah, I am looking forward to seeing how they get on. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'It's also about inspiring the next generation. I looked up to Catriona Matthew my whole amateur career and at the start of my professional career, so it is fantastic to see Lorna and Hannah pushing on as well. Hopefully they can now start inspiring kids.' The new programme has come on the back of Scottish Golf being able to send squads out to the Bahamas over the past two years through receiving support from the Sean Connery Foundation.
Daily Record
23-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Scottish Golf handed James Bond boost as they team up with Sean Connery Foundation to support women's game
Sean Connery Foundation involved in major tie-up with Scottish Golf Jason Connery reckons dad Sean would be proud to see his country's female golfing starlets shoot for the top. Scottish Golf has announced a Women and Girls Strategy including major new partnership with the Sean Connery Foundation. Three long-term visions are to support Scotland's top female amateurs as they move into the professional ranks, a three-year fund which supports the employment of full or part-time staff dedicated to growing and retaining female members and a fund targeted specifically to retain female employees within the sport. Hannah Darling and Lorna McClymont are the first to be backed with the pair facing the elite this week at the ISPS Handa Women's Scottish Open. Connery's sons were in attendance at the announcement and Jason said: 'Our hope for the Scottish Golf Women's Professional Transition Programme is that it alleviates the financial stress on these young women, who are extraordinary golfers, as they transition into their professional career. 'Seeing Scots at the top of the mountain, and leaderboard, is really what we hope to see. Dad would be so proud.' Stephane, chairman of the Sean Connery Foundation, added: 'The foundation was established in 2020 to reflect Sean's passions and guiding principles. He always wanted to champion talented people who couldn't otherwise get a break, backing excellence in need. 'Sean greatly admired the women's game and he saw an injustice in how little attention it got in comparison to the men's. We've been building a partnership with Scottish Golf over the last couple of years and, in that time, it has become evident that while there is a lack of funding in the women's game, there is no lack of will or commitment. 'It made complete sense for our foundation to try and assist in that area. Both Lorna and Hannah are seriously talented. We've met them, we know them and it's important to us that they feel the people supporting them care about who they are and what they need.' Darling turned professional this week ahead of the Dundonald event and said: 'It gives me a bit of a foundation moving forward. The people behind it have identified an area where they can really help us. 'With me and Lorna being the first to receive it, it's really nice. We can start our pro careers on the front foot almost and not worried about not making enough money to play the week after. The Sean Connery Foundation are stepping into that really well and it's exciting for us all. 'We played in the pro-am with them and that's what they said. They just wanted to make sure that we were set and go focus on playing golf rather than worrying about the finance or any of the stress that comes with it. They've been awesome and really get it, which is cool. The Sean Connery Foundation have identified the women first. They have been awesome putting their finance there.' McClymont, who turned pro last year, added: 'It's huge. I think it just takes such a weight off, which definitely helps. I think having that [finance worry] off your mind, you're just able to go out and just be free because, at the end of the day, if you have stuff like that in your mind, then you're not going to be able to perform to your best. 'I mean golf in general is an expensive sport, so I think, especially for kind of younger girls looking up, if that weight can be taken off them, then absolutely, yeah, it's huge. 'It's a quite cool kind of programme to be a part of and I'm just grateful that I can be part of it, especially the first year of it as well, it's definitely going to be pretty exciting.' McClymont and Darling have been supported throughout their journey on Scottish Golf's performance pathway, representing Scotland at age-group level, on the international stage, as well as, memorably, being part of Catriona Matthew's victorious Curtis Cup team last year at Sunningdale. Matthew said: 'We all want to see more Scots competing at the top of the women's game and this programme is designed to help bridge the gap for young professionals. 'By putting in place this programme and laying down strong foundations of support, my sincere hope is that many more aspiring Scottish players will follow Hannah and Lorna and benefit in the years ahead.'
The Herald Scotland
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
The Connery connections reviving Edinburgh's film festival
When the event returns next month, his presence will be felt across the festival thanks to his family's determination to honour his devotion to both the event and the city of his birth. Read more: They launched the Sean Connery Foundation, a new charity to support projects and initiatives in Scotland and the Bahamas, where he lived latterly, in 2022, two years after the screen star passed away at the age of 1990. The EIFF almost vanished from the industry calendar two years ago when the Centre for the Moving Image, the arts charity which ran both the event and the Filmhouse cinema, its main base in August, went into administration. Goldfinger will be among the classic James Bond films given a rare cinema screening at this year's Edinburgh International Film Festival. (Image: Agency) The event returned in reduced from in 2023 as part of the Edinburgh International Festival programme, before it was revived in a new organisation led by chairman Andrew Macdonald, one of Scotland's leading film producers, and Paul Ridd, the who led a full-scale reboot of the event last summer. Efforts to put the festival firmly back on the radar of filmmakers received a huge boost when it was announced that the Connery Foundation would be backing the EIFF's new feature film prize. Won by self-taught British filmmaker Jack King last year with his 'microbudget' debut feature The Ceremony, the Connery prize attracted more than 4500 submissions to the festival this year – almost double the number for the 2024 edition. The Connery family is also key to a major showcase of new Scottish filmmaking talent at the festival. The festival will showcase the first six projects to emerge from a new Sean Connery Talent Lab initiative, which the foundation launched last year with the National Film and Television School. Their short films focus on a young boy beginning to unearth a secret family trauma, an amateur basketball player under mounting pressure, a young woman who stands up to her employer at a grand ceilidh, the impact of addiction, a doctor forced to choose between medical protocol and her humanity, and a supermarket bargain hunt which turns deadly. Sir Sean's family will also be introducing the six classic James Bond films that the actor starred in between 1962 and 1971. The screenings, which will run at 11am at the Filmhouse during the festival, are a rare opportunity to see the actor's iconic performances on the big screen.
