Golf Ireland has announced details of the 2025 Golf Ireland Professional Scheme, with nine elite Irish golfers set to benefit from €350,000 in funding provided by Sport Ireland.
The scheme was officially launched at the Golf Ireland Academy in Carton Demesne, Co Kildare with Minister of State for Sport Charlie McConalogue TD attending, alongside Sport Ireland representatives and several of the beneficiaries, including Conor Purcell, Lauren Walsh, Max Kennedy, Mark Power, Alex Maguire, and Annabel Wilson.
Each of the nine players selected for the scheme will receive €33,000 in support, enabling them to compete internationally and continue their development. Sara Byrne, Anna Foster and Liam Nolan are also recipients in 2025.
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.
Minister of State with responsibility for Sport and Postal Policy Charlie McConalogue said: “I would like to congratulate and wish all nine 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 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.”
Golf Ireland CEO Mark Kennelly said: “Golf Ireland’s relationship with Sport Ireland is crucial in supporting Ireland’s top golfing talent. This funding plays a key role in enabling our players to excel internationally while inspiring future generations to engage with golf.”
Sport Ireland CEO Dr Úna May said: “We’re proud to have been associated with this initiative since its launch in 1999 and we’re delighted to once again be able to back some of Ireland’s most talented golfers. We wish them every success in the future.
Golf Ireland Professional Max Kennedy, who joined the Golf Ireland Professional Scheme this year, 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.”
Ladies European Tour player Lauren Walsh, another of the scheme’s beneficiaries, said: “The support from the Golf Ireland Professional Scheme has been invaluable as I continue to establish myself on the LET. 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 practice facilities for amateur and professional golfers.
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.