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The Team Ireland Golf Trust today announced grants totaling €157,000 to fifteen aspiring golfers who are pursuing their careers on professional golf tours.
Rebecca Coakley and Martina Gillen will receive grants of €15,000 to assist their campaigns on the Ladies European Tour. Rebecca's main target for the year is to qualify for the European Solheim Cup Team, the event will be held in Killeen Castle in September.
A grant of €15,000 is awarded to Niall Kearney, and Jonathan Caldwell as they seek to make on impact on the PGA Challenge Tour. County Cork golfer Niall Turner, a product of the US collegiate system, has won his card for the Asian Tour and receives a grant of €15,000 to support his first year of campaigning there.
Three players are receiving grants from Team Ireland who have graduated from the amateur ranks in the last year. They are Seamus Power who will play on the eGolf Tour in the US, Dara Lernihan who will play on the Alps Tour and Cian Curley who will play on the Eurpro Tour.
The Minister of State for Sport and Tourism, Mr Michael Ring TD, welcomed the allocation of the grants: "Irish golf enjoyed another very successful year in 2010. This outstanding sporting achievement is also important for the golf industry in Ireland which is an essential element of the tourism sector. The Team Ireland Golf Trust, which is unique in Europe, is an important part of the golf story in Ireland as it supports professional golfers at the start of their tour careers. The impact of these golfers in recent years is also a tribute to the excellent work of the GUI and ILGU in improving the standards of golf in Ireland."
As part of the support package, all golfers can avail of the world class facilities at the GUI's National Academy at Carton House. The golfers on the scheme also have free access to the network of service providers such as physiologists, sports psychologists, biomechanists, physiotherapists and doctors coordinated by the Institute of Sport at Abbotstown.
This is the twelfth year of the scheme, which has provided €2.75 million in financial support to golfers to date. The Trust aims to contribute to an increase in the presence of Irish golf professionals on the various international tours. The total budget for the Trust in 2011 is down on previous years as it is now solely funded by the Irish Sports Council in partnership with Failte Ireland.
Many established players on the main European Tour have benefited from the Trust including
Peter Lawrie, Damien McGrane, Gary Murphy, Michael Hoey, Gareth Maybin and Shane Lowry. The Irish PGA, the Golfing Union of Ireland, and the Irish Ladies Golf Union on the Golf Trust committee, which is chaired by Mr. Padarig O'hUiginn who said: "The Trust was established with a very specific goal in mind, increasing the number of Irish golfers competing and winning on the top tours. We believe the value of the Trust is demonstrated by the presence of many successful Irish golfers in international competition. This brings enormous benefits to the game at home, not least by highlighting Ireland as an important golf tourism destination".
John Treacy, CEO of the Irish Sports Council commented "Professional golf is a tough business and it is important to support talented golfers at the beginning of the careers. The Council is committed to the continuation of the Team Ireland Golf Trust as it makes a significant contribution to the sport of golf in this country ".
Ireland top female professional golfer Rebecca Coakley is in Agadir this week to compete on at the Ladies European Tour Event. The Carlow golfer commented: "I have been very fortunate to have received backing from the Golf Trust over the years. The grant this year will have a huge impact on me not only financially but mentally. It allows me to focus on my goals for the year with out the financial worries that come with being a Professional Golfer. This in return helps me focus on making the Solheim Cup Team."
Niall Turner from Cork plans to concentrate on the Asian Tour. " Team Ireland's support over the last three years has been vital in my progression as a professional golfer. Team Ireland provides the perfect support structure needed to pursue a career in professional golf. Their financial support, along with coaching and facility help, has allowed me to continually improve my game. I will be playing on the Asian tour along with co-sanctioned European tour events in 2011 and look forward to continued success."
Niall Kearney from Royal Dublin is in Kenya this week at a Challenge Tour event: "My plan for 2011 is to secure a European Tour card for the 2012 season. I will be concentrating mainly on the Challenge Tour this season and will be planning to play approx 23 events. The financial support I receive will go a long way towards covering my expenses for the 2011 season".
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