The Golf Ireland Volunteer of the Year Awards will return this year for their third edition. There is a new format this year, having listened to feedback, the Golf Ireland Club Volunteer Award scheme will be extended from one award to five awards.
The Golf Ireland Club Volunteer Awards recognises the invaluable work being done at grassroots level and honours individual or groups of club volunteers who freely give their time to make golf a progressive, inclusive, and accessible sport for all while promoting a volunteer ethos in clubs.
This scheme aims to recognise the amazing work of the thousands of volunteers who are responsible for outstanding work in their golf clubs all around the island of Ireland in 2024.
The Level Par award category aims to recognize those who have helped to tackle under-representation by providing opportunities for women and girls to take up the game or continue to enjoy the game. Nominations can be from individuals, groups, projects, and campaigns, promoting awareness for women and girls, encouraging engagement or challenging perceptions around females and golf.
The Disability and Inclusion category aims to recognize those who have helped to tackle under-representation by providing opportunities for people with disabilities or people from marginalized groups (Youth at risk, older adults, people from diverse ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQ+) to take up the game or continue to enjoy the game.
The Sustainability award category aims to recognize those who have implemented successful sustainability projects. The project can take place over multiple years but must be completed in 2024.
The Junior Development Award aims to recognise those who developed or supported golf activities and projects for Juniors (Under-18s), and the Excellence in Service Award is for individual volunteers who have made an exceptional contribution to their golf club. The individual’s contributions can be in any or multiple sections of the club.
Nominations can be made through the Golf Ireland website when a number of evaluation criteria are included.
The Golf Ireland Club Volunteer Awards recognises the invaluable work being done at grassroots level and honours individual or groups of club volunteers who freely give their time to make golf a progressive, inclusive, and accessible sport for all while promoting a volunteer ethos in clubs.
Nominations are sought directly from clubs and a club can make an application on behalf of more than one nominee. Once all these nominations are received, three applications will be shortlisted. Shortlisted candidates will be announced at the regional AGMs. One national award for each category will be chosen and presented at the Golf Ireland AGM awards ceremony.
Cork’s John Carroll has been named Captain of the Irish Boys U18 team. Carroll has a strong record of leading teams, he led Cork Golf Club to several pennants in his time as non-playing Captain of the AIG Senior Cup and Barton Shield teams.
Commenting on his appointment he said: “It is a huge honour and privilege to take over as Captain of the Irish Boys’ Team. I’m really looking forward to working with the players and hopefully achieving success in both the European Championships and Home Internationals.”
Martin Hynes of Athenry has been named team selector.
Carroll will be hoping to follow in his father’s footsteps, John Blondie Carroll had four very successful years as Captain of the Irish Men’s team, during which time he helped Ireland to win a Home Internationals title.
The Douglas golfer is in Venice, Florida for the 72-hole qualifier that could result in her earning a valuable tour card for the highest-ranked tour in ladies golf. The qualifying event was postponed by a week in the advance of Hurricane Milton which would have affected travel plans as well as potentially damaging the course. To gain a place in the LPGA tour for 2025, Byrne will need to finish in the top 25 at the end of play, from a field of 182 golfers. If she finishes outside the top 25 but inside the top 40 then she will gain a tour card for the Epson Tour.
Byrne has had an exciting 2024, with wins on the NCAA circuit, graduating college, and helping GB&I win the Curtis Cup. The 23-year-old turned professional after in September and had a positive start, making cuts in four of her five events including a top-10 finish.