Two of Australia’s top emerging amateur golfers, Chase Oberle and Hamish Farquharson, have been named recipients of the prestigious 2025 Cameron Smith Scholarship.
The pair will soon travel to the United States for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to train alongside 2022 Open Champion Cameron Smith. The experience includes a stay at Smith’s Florida residence, practice sessions with the former world No. 2, and an invitation to accompany him to LIV Golf Chicago in early August.
Established in 2016, the Cameron Smith Scholarship is a collaborative initiative between Golf Australia and Smith as part of the Give Back Program—a unique pathway through which elite professional golfers contribute to the development of Australia’s High Performance Program.
Previous scholarship recipients include Jed Morgan, Elvis Smylie, and Louis Dobbelaar, all of whom have benefited from Smith’s mentorship.
Queenslander Chase Oberle, known for his consistency and competitive edge, was named Queensland Junior Amateur Golfer of the Year in 2023. His 2024 season has included a determined victory at the Keperra Bowl and a key role in Queensland’s triumph at the Australian Junior Interstate Teams Matches.
Victorian standout Hamish Farquharson has also impressed with runner-up finishes at both the adidas Australian Amateur and the Riversdale Cup. A member of The Metropolitan Golf Club, Farquharson represented Australia at the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation Junior Championship in Hong Kong earlier this year—an achievement he now shares with Smith himself.
Golf Australia High Performance Director Tony Meyer praised the scholarship and Smith’s ongoing support:
“The Cameron Smith Scholarship is an invaluable part of our High Performance pathway,” Meyer said.
“Cam’s commitment to the program and the time he gives to the athletes is above and beyond. We’re incredibly grateful for his continued involvement.”
“Every player who’s participated has walked away with lessons and memories that last a lifetime. Seeing Cam and past scholar Elvis Smylie battling down the stretch at last year’s BMW Australian PGA Championship was a surreal, full-circle moment. Hopefully one day, we’ll see Hamish or Chase lifting a major trophy too.”
