Nicola Smith
When she first applied to SYDF, in 2017, Nicola was studying Criminal Justice & Corrections at Fairleigh Dickinson University in the United States. A highly accomplished golfer (she was studying on a golf scholarship), she was back in the UK for the summer and keen to participate in as many tournaments as possible to maintain her development. The Trust was more than happy to help fund her travel and accommodation expenses.
By 2018 Nicola had lowered her handicap to just one and was representing Kent county team. Most of her tournaments were many miles from home and entailed overnight stays and, again, the Fund was able to assist with those costs.
In 2019 Nicola became Ladies Champion at Sittingbourne & Milton Regis Golf Club. She also, in the South Region Women’s Championship at Rochester & Cobham Golf Club, Nicola broke the course record by three shots with a round of 67.
By 2020 Nicola had achieved her ambition of becoming a scratch golfer. She was 21 – the upper limit for applicants to the Fund – but her undoubted potential for success made it easy for Trustees to agree further support as she progressed towards graduation while representing her university in the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s top division.
After completing her undergraduate degree and then adding a master’s degree in Criminal Justice, Nicola is currently working as a criminal defence case worker at Bond Joseph Solicitors (in Canterbury) with the ultimate goal of qualifying as a criminal defence solicitor.
