This year, Play in Pink events took place in over 220 golf clubs in Ireland, raising more than €600,000 for the National Breast Cancer Research Institute Ireland (NBCRI).
The money raised helps fund breast cancer research programmes at the University of Galway and while Play in Pink is the official charity partner for the KPMG Women’s Irish Open and the Irish Challenge, it is now also the official charity partner of Golf Ireland until 2027.
“I’m delighted with this partnership as we’ve been working with golf clubs in Ireland on the Play in Pink initiative for the last 20 years,” said Miriam Hand, national co-ordinator for Play in Pink.
“We’ve held thousands of events in that time with golfers’ playing in pink’ to support the NBCRI.
“Having the governing body now assisting and supporting the charity will help us to grow awareness even more and to spread the word of Play in Pink and the charity to every golf club in Ireland.
“It’s a huge boost for the charity, and I’m excited to see how it can positively impact clubs and sign-ups for 2025.”
According to current figures, one in seven Irish women will be diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 75, with over 3,500 cases diagnosed annually.
As these women are mothers, daughters, sisters, grandmothers, friends and neighbours, many more people are affected by breast cancer than the patients themselves.
As a result, it’s crucial that the Lambe Institute at The University of Galway, in collaboration with universities and hospitals across the globe, can focus on developing and improving diagnostic techniques and treatment strategies.
If they continue to make strides in this area, they can drive tangible and measurable improvement in clinical outcomes for breast cancer patients.
A Play in Pink day is when members and visitors (if an open day) come together to support the NBCRI Charity, Play in Pink.
The club organises the golf day and participants are encouraged to “Play in Pink” with funds raised from the day being donated to the charity.
The days are organised and coordinated by the golf clubs (Lady vice captain or some other designated Play in Pink coordinator), and they can be open days or members-only days.
Clubs run the days with entry fees typically forming the bulk of the donation to the charity.
Players are encouraged to Play in Pink on the days, and many clubs go to great lengths to increase their donations, incorporating breakfasts, coffee mornings, auctions, sales and locally produced product sales, and on-course initiatives such as ‘buying mulligans’.
The days are meant to be fun, but they are run in the spirit of the game to generate donations for the charity.
Golf Ireland CEO Mark Kennelly was pleased to announce its backing for Play In Pink.
“We are thrilled to announce Play in Pink as an official charity partner,” he said. “This partnership reflects our commitment to supporting meaningful causes within our community.
“The incredible efforts of Play in Pink and the NBCRI resonate deeply with our members. Together, we hope to make a significant impact in advancing breast cancer research and supporting those affected by it.”
For more information on Play in Pink, visit the website