BACKING AWINNER
Golf gets €750,000 funding boost from Sport Ireland
INCREASED funding for golf was one of the many reasons clubs voted in favour of the creation of a single governing body for golf – Golf Ireland.
But while clubs must wait until 2021 before the new body is up and running, golf received increased funding from Sport Ireland as part of a near €32 million investment in National Governing Bodies for Sport.
Golf will receive funding of €750,000 in 2019 – a core grant of €300,000 for services provided by the Confederation of Golf in Ireland (CGI) and High Performance funding of €450,000.
All told, golf received a €107,000 increase this year, which will help not just the ILGU and the GUI nurture our golfing talent, but also allow the CGI to give clubs support.
Speaking after the announcement, CGI Chairman Redmond O’Donoghue said: “This is more good news for golf. It is timely too because of the recent decision of Ireland’s golf clubs to form Golf Ireland.
“The funding we receive from Sport Ireland enables the CGI to help and support clubs across the country.
“The CGI works directly with clubs to grow the game by delivering business development programmes and providing a range of club support services.
“I really welcome this increased level of support from Sport Ireland because it reaffirms the value of the work that we do.”
The increase in High Performance funding has been welcomed by the CEOs of the ILGU and GUI respectively.
ILGU CEO, Sinead Heraty said: “The strong ongoing support for golf from Sport Ireland is appreciated, and in particular, the increase
With this backing, we can continue to produce world-class golfers who will represent Ireland at the highest level
in funding for female amateur High Performance programmes is welcomed.
“With the backing of Sport Ireland, we can continue to produce world-class golfers who will represent Ireland at the highest level and this success will, in turn, contribute to the development of the game which is so important for our clubs and members.”
Speaking for the GUI, CEO Pat Finn added: “Sport Ireland’s support helps the GUI to deliver a structured coaching programme to Ireland’s best male golfers during the off-season and also to send these players to more than 25 individual and team championships during the playing season.
“The support of Sport Ireland has allowed the GUI’s High Performance programme to develop into a world-class system that continues to consistently achieve remarkable results.”
The core grant to the Confederation of Golf in Ireland increased by €67,000 to €300,000 while High Performance funding to the GUI and ILGU rose €40,000 to €450,000.