Durham
TalentAid
Maggie’s Story
From a young age, Maggie Whitehead demonstrated an exceptional talent for golf, but the financial demand of the sport posed significant barriers for her and her family. After struggling to afford the vast sums required for Maggie’s training and competitions across the UK and Europe on his own, her father, Andy, a Freemason from Durham, reached out to the Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF, the Freemasons’ Charity) for support. Now, as a student and golfer at the University of Virginia, Maggie is well on her way to achieving greatness in her career.
Golf runs in Maggie’s family; her grandparents were captains at their local golf club, and her father introduced her to the game early in her upbringing. “There’s a video of Maggie at two-years old playing with a plastic golf club,” Andy recalls. She began competing in junior tournaments at just seven-years old. By nine, she showcased her talent by winning her first match 10&8 against a Newcastle United goalkeeper. This victory marked a turning point, leading her to join the Northumberland team at the age of 11, the England regional setup at the age of 12, and the England Women’s team against other home nations at the age of 17.
Upon receiving a suggestion from a fellow lodge member, Andy applied for support from the MCF through the TalentAid scheme, which assisted Maggie by covering her tournament travel costs. This aid not only alleviated financial pressure on the family, but also played a crucial role in her being scouted by the University of Virginia during a tournament in Germany. “With the financial burden removed, we could take the pressure off Maggie and allow her to play freely,” Andy said.
The support enabled Maggie to hone her skills and gain experiences few others have. “My experience in golf so far has been so amazing,” she shared. “Golf has allowed me to travel the world and play some of the world’s nicest courses in countries like Canada, Iceland, Finland, the Netherlands, the USA, Germany, and Portugal. Not only has golf put my name out into the open, but it has also taught me many valuable life lessons outside of the sport itself.”
From watching close friends following the same pathways, I think it may be sensible for me to start on the LET (Ladies European Tour) Access Tour, work my way up through the ranks, and hopefully make it onto the LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association) Tour. There, I can gain my full professional status and start earning some money, which I’d love to pay back to all those that have helped me get to where I am today
Andy takes immense pride in his daughter’s achievements and cherishes seeing her play with joy. As a Freemason, he actively supports the MCF and participates in charitable work within his province. “I know that money going to the MCF is helping other families,” Andy noted.
