GOLF IRELAND PROS RECEIVE €375,000 SPORT IRELAND FUNDING
Conor Purcell, Lauren Walsh, Max Kennedy, Annabel Wilson and Mark Power. (Photo: Tom Maher/Inpho)
Sport Ireland and the game’s governing body Golf Ireland welcomed the launch of the 2026 Golf Ireland Professional Scheme, with 13 golfers set to benefit from grants worth more than €375,000.
Each of the 13 players will receive €30,000 to support them in becoming established players on the main international tours, such as the DP World Tour, Ladies European Tour (LET), PGA Tour, and LPGA Tour.
This year’s beneficiaries include Lauren Walsh, Sara Byrne, Conor Purcell, Max Kennedy, Mark Power, Annabel Wilson, James Sugrue, Anna Foster, Áine Donegan, Ronan Mullarney, David Carey, John Ross Galbraith and Liam Nolan.
Charlie McConalogue, Minister of State with responsibility for Sport and Postal Policy, said: “I would like to congratulate and wish all 13 players selected for the scheme the very best of luck for this year and beyond. May you all go on to great success in your careers in professional golf.
“I believe it is vitally important that we continue to invest in sport at all levels, and that we support projects such as the Golf Ireland Professional Scheme to enable our elite, high performance golfers to excel in their chosen field.
Mark Kennelly, Golf Ireland CEO, added: “This funding is vital for enabling our players to perform at the highest level around the world. We are excited to see where their seasons lead and the role they will play in inspiring future generations of golfers in Ireland. The support from Sport Ireland helps them to reach their goals.”
Neil Manchip, Golf Ireland High Performance Director, said: “We are delighted to receive the funding from Sport Ireland to support our professional programme. It goes a long way to help the development of our professionals make their way on the various tours.”
Dr Úna May, Sport Ireland CEO, said: “Sport Ireland's investment in the Golf Ireland Professional Scheme reflects our commitment to ensuring Irish athletes have the resources they need to compete at the highest level. Over 25 years, we have seen this scheme deliver real results on the world stage, and the 13 golfers benefiting in 2026 represent the continuing strength of Irish golf at international level.”
Golf Ireland Professional Power added: “The Golf Ireland Pro Scheme provides me with great support throughout the season. The funding and access to invites is a massive help toward giving myself the best opportunity to compete throughout the year.”
Golf Ireland Professional Byrne added: “The Golf Ireland Pro Scheme has been a massive help with the transition from amateur to pro. The financial aid has been a massive part, as that is the number one thing to have to take care of with travelling expenses. The availability to coaching is also a great for whatever sort of help we need.”
With the Ryder Cup returning to Ireland next year, the Government has committed €8.5milliom 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, assistance with tournament invitations, access to support staff, and access to the state-of-the-art facilities at the Golf Ireland Academy.
Golf Ireland Pro Scheme members can also avail of warm weather training facilities, mentoring from current or former tour professionals and sports medical support through Sport Ireland.
In the time since the Scheme was established more than €5 million in grants has been allocated to almost 120 golfers.
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About Sport Ireland
Sport Ireland is the authority tasked with the development of sport in Ireland. This includes participation in sport, high-performance sport, anti-doping, coaching and the development of the Sport Ireland Campus. www.sportireland.ie
About Golf Ireland
Golf Ireland is the Governing Body for golf across the island of Ireland. Launched in 2021, Golf Ireland have a vision that golf is a game for everyone - for enjoyment, for health, and for life. www.golfireland.ie