Girls in Golf
Applications have opened for Girls N Golf 2012.
Girls will be recruited from the local community to take part in an introductory golf programme leading into the summer months. The goals of the project are to increase the number of girls playing golf and encourage them to take up golf club membership.
Girls N Golf is based around fun and activity. It will involve an introduction to golf skills, games and playing on a shortened course. Girls N Golf Gala Days will be held during the summer months - these are a real hit with the girls, being their first taste of a golf competition.
The project run in conjunction with the ILGU and with support from the Irish Sports Council's Women in Sport programme.
Applications and information are available to download on the website. The closing date for applications is February 15th 2012. Successful club applicants will be those who show a desire to introduce NEW girl members to the club and provide adequate adult support within the club for delivering the programme.
Click news and events page for the information sheet and application for your club
Girls in Golf 2010
The 2010 project involves 31 golf clubs across Ireland: Adare Manor, Arklow, Athenry, Ballycastle, Bellewstown, Cahir Park, Castletroy, Co. Cavan, Co. Sligo, Donabate, Dungannon, Forrest Little, Grange, Headfort, Kenmare, Kilkenny, Laytown + Bettystown, Lucan, Mahon, Mallow, Nuremore, Omagh, Portadown, Portumna, Roe Park, Rossmore, Seapoint, South County, Tralee, Tubbercurry, Tullamore and Westport.
Click Girls in Golf 2010 Summary for a brief evaluation of the project to date.
Below are some examples of the projects in action:
Omagh
Drumragh Integrated College Omagh teamed up with Omagh GC for the programme. Coached by a PGA Professional and ably assisted by qualified volunteers led by Susan Anderson, 15 Year 8 and Year 9 girls travelled to the golf club for 10 weekly sessions which began in February, and even overcame the snow on one occasion! With the help of their school teacher and golf club volunteers the girls have been making great strides and Omagh Golf Club is hopeful that all of the girls will sign up as members. Pictured is the photo of the group at the Silverwood Gala Day - the Omagh girls were a big hit
Westport
The junior committee at Westport Golf Club decided to put a drive on for girl golfers. Having approached the Girls N Golf coordinator contact was made with the Sacred Heart Secondary School in Westport, where it turned out that over 100 1st and 2nd year girls were eager to have a go. An open day was arranged in the school and eventually the number was narrowed down to 20 girls who took part in fun coaching and golf activities through Girls N Golf in Westport Golf Club. Pictured are some of the group who took part at the open day at Sacred Heart School earlier this year.
Cahir Park
For a number of weeks 20 eager 1st and 2nd year girls from Colaiste Dun Iascaigh, Cahir attended Cahir Park Golf Club for the after school Girls N Golf sessions. They even had 2 pitch and putt outings to Tipperary and the group had a great dayat their Gala Day in Pococke GC, Kilkenny in May. PGA Professional David Ryan was very popular, along with their teacher and mentor Susan Carey, who thoroughly enjoyed the programme, "I love it and the girls love it. They're improving so quickly because David makes the games and activities fund and enjoyable. The sessions fly by".
"I love it, and the girls love it. They're improving so quickly because David makes the games and activities fun and enjoyable. The hour session flies by. "
Lucan
20 girls from St. Joseph's Secondary School, Lucan really enjoyed Girls N Golf. The girls travelled by bus each week to the lessons and tried putting, chipping and long shots at Lucan Golf Club, Celbridge Driving Range and Lucan Pitch and Putt club. Many of the girls are making huge strides and some are hoping to join Lucan Golf Club. Rain aside the girls really enjoyed the Gala Day in the Spawell in May!
Portadown
A group of girls from Clounagh Junior High School in Portadown had great fun during Girls N Golf. They travelled by the school bus to Portadown Golf Club where they were coached by Paul Stevenson. The Portadown girls were the winners of the putting challenge at the Silverwood Gala Day thanks to putting star Jenny Douglas. Pictured are the girls with their school bus.
Kenmare
The girls from Kenmare Community School were a big success for the club as 13 of the 20 girls joined Kenmare Golf Club. Huge thanks goes to the hard working ladies in Kenmare GC, particularly Stephanie Gane and Kim Kennedy who marshaled the programme from day one. The new girl members are continuing to play golf on Monday mornings throughout the summer and intend to travel to the JP McManus pro-am in Adare in early July. Pictured is the group with the statue of Arnold Palmer at Tralee GC.
If your school is interested in participating in 2011, or your club has vacancies for junior girls please contact the project co-ordinator Niamh Kitching at nkitching@juniorgolfireland.com or 087 6373767.
