AIB is deepening its involvement with Irish Golf. The bank has agreed to be the sole sponsor of Junior Golf Ireland, the partnership set up by the three governing bodies of golf in Ireland to foster the development of golf at grassroots levels. The sponsorship, which is part of AIB’s overall strategy of sponsoring sports, has been undertaken by AIB under the umbrella of their Ryder Cup programme. AIB has been associated with the Ryder Cup since 1998, having been part of the successful bid team that secured the event for Ireland in 2006.
Junior Golf Ireland (JGI), which was formed in 2003, is a partnership between the Golfing Union of Ireland, the Irish Ladies Golf Union and the PGA Irish region. JGI was founded with assistance both from the Irish Sports Council and the R&A.
The principal role of JGI is to bring golf to the widest cross section of young people and to implement the Junior Golf Development Plan. This plan includes:
- Establishment / identification of Junior Friendly golf facilities and the development of coaching programmes for children who opt to learn the game at such facilities.
- Introduction of golf to primary schools, using Tri-Golf, a schools friendly golf programme using modified equipment.
- Training of volunteer coaches in the development of Tri-Golf and in assisting training PGA professionals in the delivery of entry level coaching.
- Securing club membership for juniors who complete JGI Programmes.
Previously AIB had worked with the GUI and ILGU in the AIB Golf Club of the Year scheme, a three-year sponsorship programme designed to promote the broader aspects of the golf club. Currently AIB are sponsors of the AIB Irish Amateur Open and the AIB Seniors.