Amaya Athill - Founder of Golf Interrupted / Regional Director with Golf Canada

Amaya Athill is a dynamic leader, advocate, and passionate force for change within the golf industry. As the Regional Director, Ontario for Golf Canada, she leverages a unique blend of professional rigour and heartfelt mission to break down barriers and make the sport more accessible and welcoming for all. Her journey is a compelling narrative of purposeful transformation: after building a successful international career as a civil litigation lawyer called to the bar in the UK and the Caribbean, Amaya made a decisive 180-degree pivot to follow her passion for golf and community. This shift was sparked by her own experience of feeling isolated as a woman of colour returning to the game in the UK, which ignited a drive to ensure others from underrepresented backgrounds could find belonging on the fairways.

Prior to her current role, Amaya served as the Manager of First Tee – Ontario, where she was instrumental in launching and scaling the program's foundational years in Canada. Her strategy is rooted in a powerful, "trust-first" philosophy, building genuine partnerships with community centres and schools to introduce golf in familiar, low-pressure environments before transitioning participants to green-grass facilities. This innovative approach demystifies the game and intentionally removes logistical and social barriers for newcomers. Her work is deeply informed by her own childhood in Antigua, where she was introduced to golf by her father at age five and grew up within a vibrant, diverse junior program—an experience she is now dedicated to replicating across Ontario.

Beyond her programmatic work, Amaya is a sought-after voice on diversity, inclusion, and the future of golf. She is the founder of the digital community "Golf, Interrupted," which highlights diverse stories in the sport and is also the founder of
Black Women Golfers (Canada). A true connector and relationship-builder, Amaya’s vision extends to every level of the game. She champions innovative access points like community putting courses and indoor simulators, and works collaboratively with golf facilities across the province to foster environments where everyone, regardless of background, can experience the joy and benefit of golf. Her mission is clear: to ensure the sport reflects the beautiful diversity of the communities it serves, creating pathways not just for participation, but for leadership and lifelong engagement.