Entries for the 2025 Club Volunteer of the Year awards are now closed. Nominees from within each of the award categories are listed below.

 

The Golf Ireland Volunteer of the Year Awards will return this year for their third edition.

The Golf Ireland Club Volunteer Awards recognises the invaluable work being done at grassroots level and honours individual or groups of club volunteers who freely give their time to make golf a progressive, inclusive, and accessible sport for all while promoting a volunteer ethos in clubs.

Having listened to feedback from all regions and clubs we are expanding the Golf Ireland Club Volunteer Award scheme from one award to five awards.

This scheme aims to recognise the amazing work of the thousands of volunteers who are responsible for outstanding work in their golf clubs all around the island of Ireland in 2024. This year there will be five categories ranging from Junior Development to Diversity and Inclusion.

Nominations were sought directly from clubs and a club could make an application on behalf of more than one nominee. Shortlisted candidates for each category were announced at their Regional AGM. One National Award for each category will be chosen and presented at the Golf Ireland AGM awards ceremony.

 

1. Level Par Award  

Overview – This award category aims to recognize those who have helped to tackle under-representation by providing opportunities for women and girls to take up the game or continue to enjoy the game. 

Nominations can be from individuals, groups, projects, and campaigns, promoting awareness for women and girls, encouraging engagement or challenging perceptions around females and golf.

 

The 2025 nominees are Olga Stones (Blainroe), Geraldine Minton (Ballinasloe) and Janet Slattery (St Helen's Bay).

 

 

2. Disability and Inclusion Award  

Overview – This award category aims to recognize those who have helped to tackle under-representation by providing opportunities for people with disabilities or people from marginalized groups (Youth at risk, older adults, people from diverse ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQ+) to take up the game or continue to enjoy the game. 

Nominations can be for individuals, groups, projects, and campaigns, promoting challenging perceptions and promoting Inclusion in Golf.

 

The 2025 nominees are Edel Randles (Castlegregory), Helen Buckley (Grange) and Kevin Farrell (Edenderry).

 

 

3. Sustainability Award  

Overview – This award category aims to recognize those who have implemented successful sustainability projects. The project can take place over multiple years but must be completed in 2024. It should have carried clear objectives and set targets on how to sustain golf in one or more of the following areas. 

• Environmental: This may have involved reducing the carbon emissions, conserving water, improving waste management, increasing biodiversity and habitat, or educating members on environmental issues.  

• Economic: This may have involved incorporating sustainability into business plans, investing in green technology or renewable energy, or successfully allocating funds towards sustainability focused projects.  

 

The 2025 nominees are Gordon Murray (Grange), Sustainability Working Group (County Louth) and Neil Cremin (Ennis).

 

 

4. Junior Development Award  

 Overview – This award category aims to recognize those who developed or supported golf activities and projects for Juniors (Under-18s). 

Nominations can be for individuals, groups, projects, or campaigns, that have contributed to golf on or off the course, helping Juniors to enjoy the game.

 

The 2025 nominees are Linda McGuire (County Louth), Judith Connolly (Portadown), John Duggan (Kanturk) and John Glynn (Bearna).

 

 

5. Excellence in Service Award 

Overview - For individual volunteers who have made an exceptional contribution to their golf club. The individual’s contributions can be in any or multiple sections of the club.

 

The 2025 nominees are Ann Marie Duffy (Malahide), Michael (Minie) O'Brien (Ballyneety), Michael Donlon (Millicent) and Margaret Brown (Greenisland).

 

 

National Judging Panel

• Independent Chair 
• One independent judge
• Three Golf Ireland volunteers nominated by the Development and Club Support Committee
• 30/30/40 gender principal will apply

 

Terms and Conditions 

Click here for Full terms and conditions

Any queries regarding the Club Volunteer Awards should be sent via email to volunteerawards@golfireland.ie