12-month gap to ease golf clubs’ fears on Independent Golfer programme

Mark Kennelly, CEO Golf Ireland. Pic: Inpho/James Crombie

Golf Ireland has moved to reassure clubs concerned by the governing body’s proposed Independent Golfer programme by agreeing a 12-month stand-down period for golfers who resign their memberships to join the incoming scheme for non-members to earn handicaps.

Golf Ireland chief executive Mark Kennelly revealed the board-level vote to introduce the year-long stand-down period while also outlining why the governing body for golf on the island of Ireland believes the Independent Golfer (IG) programme, which is set to be introduced later this year, will benefit rather than threaten golf clubs by providing a pipeline to some 350,000 players who regularly play full rounds of golf but who are currently non-members.