New umbrella body to develop Irish golf

Leading sports policy makers have praised the formation of the Confederation of Golf in Ireland (CGI) after the game’s governing bodies united yesterday to “further develop and grow golf” on the island of Ireland.

The Golfing Union of Ireland (GUI), Irish Ladies Golf Union (ILGU) and the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) announced the umbrella body’s formation yesterday and have appointed businessman John Roche as its Director of Golf and Business Development while Fáilte Ireland chair Redmond O’Donoghue will serve a similar role on the CGI board.

The establishment of the not-for-profit CGI is a result of 18 months of study and preparation by the associations in conjunction with the Irish Sports Council and Sport Northern Ireland and the intention is for it to complement the work of the associations while providing a “necessary combined approach to certain key strategic areas in the future development of golf in Ireland”.

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar spoke of his “delight” at the CGI’s formation: “This is a major step forward in the strategic development of golf in Ireland. The CGI will support the work of the Golfing Union of Ireland, the Irish Ladies Golf Union and the Professional Golfers Association and build on the success of Irish golf across Ireland and internationally.”

Among the aims of CGI’s stakeholders is to “respond to the investment requirements of the two Sports Councils, who are seeking one single application for golf” as well as providing a single entity to interact with the Olympic Council of Ireland as golf prepares to make its re-entry into the Olympic programme at the 2014 Games in Rio. The provision of support to aspiring Irish professionals at the outset of their careers is another priority.

“This is a very welcome and very positive development for golf in Ireland,” said Irish Sports Council CEO John Treacy. “The success of the work of the associations is at its most visible in the world class performances by Irish golfers on the international stage — particularly during the past six or seven years. The CGI will build on this success story and help to provide additional strategic direction for the sport, throughout the whole island.”

Roche, who begins his role next month, has also been charged with arresting the decline in memberships and bringing a new focus to the game and the business of golf clubs on the island of Ireland as the industry attempts to emerge from the economic downturn.