Pictured at the Golf Ireland Academy were Mark Power, Annabel Wilson, Alex Maguire, Golf Ireland CEO Mark Kennelly, Minister of State for Sport and Postal Policy Charlie McConalogue, Chair of Sport Ireland John Foley, Golf Ireland Chair Paul Haran, Max Kennedy, Lauren Walsh and Conor Purcell. Photo: Tom Maher / Inpho.
Nine golfers have been awarded €350,000 by Sport Ireland through the 2025 Golf Ireland Professional Scheme.
Conor Purcell, Lauren Walsh, Max Kennedy, Mark Power, Alex Maguire, Annabel Wilson, Sara Byrne, Anna Foster and Liam Nolan will each receive €33,000 in support, enabling them to compete internationally and continue their development.
Kennedy said: “Joining the Golf Ireland Professional Scheme has given me a boost as I take on the HotelPlanner Tour.
“The support and resources available through the scheme make a real difference when you are competing at a high level internationally.”
Lauren Walsh, who has a card on the LET, said: “The support from the Golf Ireland Professional Scheme has been invaluable as I continue to establish myself on the Ladies European Tour. It’s a massive help to have this backing, enabling me to concentrate fully on my game so I can achieve my goals.”
Golf Ireland’s High Performance ambitions were previously boosted with a provisional allocation of €1.4m under the Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund, which was announced in November 2024.
The funding will support the development of indoor High Performance facilities for amateur and professional golfers.
According to Sport Ireland, “Government support for golf facilities remains robust, with nearly €30m provided to golf under the Community Sports Facilities Fund since 2015.
“This includes €13.4m awarded to 142 golf projects in the most recent funding round.
“With the Ryder Cup returning to Ireland in 2027, the Government has committed €8.5m in financial support for key professional golf tournaments, including the Amgen Irish Open, KPMG Women’s Irish Open, HotelPlanner Tour, and OFX Irish Legends Tour events, enhancing Ireland’s profile on the international stage.
“Sport Ireland has provided funding to the Golf Ireland Professional Scheme since 1999.
“The scheme also gives players direct funding, coaching expertise, access to Golf Ireland’s National Academy and Quinta do Lago training base, and access to the Sport Ireland Institute.
For more information on the Golf Ireland Professional Scheme visit the Golf Ireland website here. Full criteria for the scheme can also be found here.”
Brian Keogh
