Nominations are now open for the 2026 Hero’s Handshake awards.
The Hero’s Handshake is an award for young people presented by young people in the golfing community. They are run by the Young Ambassadors – supported by The Golf Foundation and England Golf – and aim to motivate others to get involved with their community and reward those who are making a difference.
To make a nomination, visit www.englandgolf.org/heros-handshake. Any young person up to the age of 25 can be nominated, and entries close on Tuesday June 30.
The Hero’s Handshake awards were created by the Young Ambassadors to publicly recognise and celebrate the achievements of young golfers across the country beyond scores and trophies.
The awards are rooted in three core values – inspiration, inclusion and innovation – with three award set to be presented later this year.
After receiving the nominations, the Young Ambassadors review each application and select the winners who best represent these principles. The awards recognise individuals who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to the game of golf while promoting a positive, inclusive environment, and contributing innovative ideas to the sport.
In 2025, an inspiration award was presented to Hannah Katz, who underwent a hip replacement after falling from a horse and returned to the sport after three years of recovery, reducing her handicap by 20 shots in her first season back.
The second award was presented to Aliesha Wright, who has neurological postural tachycardia, which means her heart beats in the wrong rhythm. She only has about 20% of the stamina that children her age have, and managing energy reserves can be difficult as the condition is unpredictable, though she continues to excel on and off the golf course.
The third award went to Henry Zawadzki for his unwavering commitment to making golf accessible and welcoming for new players. He has dedicated countless hours to supporting his club in hosting multiple GolfSixes league events, welcoming more than 40 children and their parents at each event.
The final award went to Adam Rothwell, a junior captain who used his role to show what it means to use golf as a force for good. Among his many achievements, his captain’s day raised £1,980 and involved golfers from beginners through to experienced players.
