The organisation is targeting 200,000 participants over a five-year period in all golf development activities.
Golf Ireland and Sports Minister Thomas Byrne have today welcomed the creation of a new schools initiative as part of the Golf Ireland Major Events Legacy Programme.
The organisation is targeting over 500 primary and post-primary schools to engage with the programme, more than 1,000 people to be trained in schools and community settings to deliver golf activities, and 200,000 participants over a five-year period in all golf development activities.
The arrival of significant events to Ireland is a further catalyst to maximise the full potential of golf. Over the coming years The Ryder Cup, The Open, The Amgen Irish Open, The KPMG Women’s Irish Open, and The Walker Cup will garner the attention of the world and inspire hundreds of thousands to pick up a club and play the game.
Golf Ireland plan to maximise the benefit of these events over a five-year period of investment (2024-2028) across three key pillars; Accessible Infrastructure, Targeted Participation Initiatives, and Awareness Campaigns.
Through pillar two, targeted participation initiatives, Golf Ireland plan to ensure that golf is an accessible option for all sectors of the community at a venue that is convenient for them.
Teachers Aisling O’Sullivan and Aisling O’Sullivan with vice-Principal Ali Murphy, along with Minister Thomas Byrne and Golf Ireland CEO Mark Kennelly at Scoil Bhríde, in Kilbride, County Meath. (Photo: Billy Stickland/Inpho)
Schools in every county of the island will have the opportunity to host introductory programmes while Community-based initiatives, particularly focusing on those groups with an underrepresentation in golf and sport in general in line with the National Sports Policy, will be delivered in alternative settings such as community centres and public spaces.
Thanks to funding from the Irish government, supported by Sport Ireland, Golf Ireland have employed a team of Golf in the Community Officers to deliver these initiatives. The five officers were present at Scoil Bhríde in Kilbride, County Meath along with Minister Byrne and Golf Ireland CEO Mark Kennelly.
In welcoming the announcement today at Scoil Bhríde, Minister of State for Sport, Physical Education and the Gaeltacht, Thomas Byrne T.D., said: “This is a tremendously exciting time for golf in Ireland, as we look forward to hosting the Ryder Cup in 2027, in addition to other major competitions in the years ahead. Whenever Ireland hosts major international sports competitions, it is vitally important that we ensure a lasting legacy and in particular, a participation legacy. I strongly welcome the participation initiatives being developed by Golf Ireland under its Major Events Legacy Programme, which will be of benefit to communities across Ireland. I want to commend Golf Ireland for its really positive work in this area and acknowledge the great work undertaken by Sport Ireland in this respect also.”
Golf Ireland Golf in the Community Officers Eimear McQuillan, Cian Mulligan, Robert Cussen and Conor Devery, along with Minister Thomas Byrne and Golf Ireland CEO Mark Kennelly at Scoil Bhríde, in Kilbride, County Meath. (Photo: Billy Stickland/Inpho)
This is the first time Golf Ireland have a dedicated team with a focus on community and participation. Training courses have also been designed for teachers and volunteers to assist the delivery of golf activity in schools, and Golf Ireland CEO Mark Kennelly is excited about the potential of the latest initiative.
“We are thrilled to see this initiative open doors to golf for young people across Ireland, introducing them to the benefits of the sport from an early age. By embedding golf into the schools programme, we’re not only broadening exposure but also offering schools and communities the resources needed to create a welcoming environment,” said Kennelly.
“We hope this focus will inspire the next generation of golfers and promote a lifelong connection to the game. Initiatives like this align perfectly with Golf Ireland’s vision to make golf accessible to all, and they form part of our broader commitment to growing participation at all levels.
“We thank the Irish government and Minister Byrne and his department, along with Sport Ireland, for the additional funding which allows us to build a solid foundation, reinforcing golf as a sport that’s open, engaging, and beneficial for everyone in Ireland.”