Golfers get grant funding

The Team Ireland Golf Trust yesterday announced grants of €157,000 to 15 players pursuing their careers on professional tours.

Rebecca Coakley and Martina Gillen will receive grants of €15,000 each to assist their campaigns on the Ladies European Tour.

Rebecca’s main target for the year is to qualify for Europe’s Solheim Cup team, with the event to be held in Killeen Castle in Co. Meath in September.

A grant of €15,000 is awarded to Niall Kearney and Jonathan Caldwell as they seek to make on impact on the PGA Challenge Tour.

Niall Turner, a product of the US collegiate system, has won his card for the Asian Tour and receives a grant of €15,000 to support his first year there.

Three players, who have graduated from the amateur ranks, are receiving grants from Team Ireland: Seamus Power, who will play on the eGolf Tour in the US, Dara Lernihan, on the Alps Tour and Cian Curley on the EurPro Tour.