Golf Ireland area pathway managers and development panellists announced
Golf Ireland has appointed five area pathway managers with the primary role of coordinating the coaching programme for performance development and area development panels for boys and girls.
The appointment for the West area, incorporating Mayo, Cavan, Clare, Galway, Leitrim, Roscommon and Sligo, is Ian Kearney. The appointments to the other areas are as follows: Midlands-East (Longford, Louth, Meath, North Dublin, Offaly and Westmeath) – Eamonn O’Flanagan; North (Antrim, Armagh, Derry, Down, Fermanagh, Monaghan and Tyrone) – Stephen Hood; South (Cork, Kerry, Kilkenny, Laois, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford) – Ian Stafford; South-East (Carlow, Kildare, South Dublin, Wicklow and Wexford) – Michelle Carroll.
The area pathway managers will also be members of Golf Ireland’s area pathway management team, which will oversee the overall area coaching programme. All have a vast level of knowledge and experience in the area of junior development and have demonstrated their passion to deliver a successful programme of activities for the panellists.
The area development programme forms part of the overall Golf Ireland pathway and aims to provide a creative and fun learning environment for younger, developing golfers. Panels are typically made up of golfers who are just starting to show potential in golf and other sports/activities. For many, the social aspects and active participation will be a key component in these coaching sessions, in addition to the development of their golfing skill set.
The performance development programme is a learning environment in which players make significant strides towards competing and delivering high standards and results at national level. These groups will comprise some very talented players who will be tracking towards high performance panels. It may also include some golfers who are still very involved in other sports as well as golf.
Local young golfers named on the area development coaching panels 2021 include the following: Under 12 boys – John William Burke (Ballyhaunis) and Max Humphreys (Ballinrobe); Under 14 boys – Ryan Keane (Ballina), Owen Kelly (Ballina) and John Quinn (Ballinrobe); Under 16 boys – Aaron Quigley (Castlebar) and Ben Doherty (Ballina); Under 17 girls – Saoirse Keenan (Westport) and Caroline Dodd (Enniscrone).