Golf Ireland Professional Scheme

Golf Ireland Professional - 2024 Scheme Regulations

It all started in 1999....

The Golf Ireland Professional Scheme was established in 1999 under the guidance of Padraig O'hUiginn to assist Irish professional golfers, both male and female, in the early stages of their careers. To date, over €4m in funding has been provided to 106 aspiring professionals.

The most notable recent successes for Golf Ireland Professionals have been Leona Maguire, Paul Dunne, Peter Lawrie, Damien McGrane and Shane Lowry. Peter Lawrie and Damien McGrane won tournaments for the first time on the European Tour in 2008, while there were wins on tour for Michael Hoey (2011 Dunhill Links Champion) and Shane Lowry (2009 Irish Open Champion as an amateur). Paul Dunne claimed his first European Tour victory at the British Masters in 2017. The Golf Ireland Professional Scheme has also assisted a number of women on tour, most prominent are: Leona Maguire, Rebecca Coakley and Stephanie Meadow.

The objective of the Golf Ireland Professional Scheme is to support golfers who have the potential to become established players on the main international tours, such as the European Tour, US PGA Tour, Ladies European Tour and LPGA Tour. The Golf Ireland Professional Scheme is designed to provide support, both financial and non-financial, to selected young professional golfers to help them achieve their potential to perform successfully at international level.

The success of professional golfers on international tours also helps to promote Ireland as a golf tourism destination. In the time since the Scheme was established more than €4m in grants has been allocated to aspiring young golfers.

Golf Ireland Professionals have full access to the Golf Ireland Academy where they can practice, meet their coaches, have golf lessons and improve their game in a state of the art facility.