The Irish Ladies Golf Union and the Confederation of Golf in Ireland are announcing the women who will inspire the next generation as Golf4Girls4Life Ambassadors.
The Irish Ladies Golf Union (ILGU) and the Confederation of Golf in Ireland (CGI) are announcing the Women and Girls in Ireland who will inspire the next generation as Golf4Girls4Life Ambassadors.
Golf4Girls4Life is a framework which aims to increase participation and retention of girls in golf through the provision of engaging coaching sessions, enjoyable additional activities and the game of golf in general. Theframework has been designed to specifically meet the needs of girls and to provide guidance for all in the Golf Club, including the PGA Professionals, committees, volunteers and parents, enabling them to create a girl centred environment.
Part of the framework aims to provide role models for young girls to look up, to change some of the misconceptions about the sport. Each Golf4Girls4Life Ambassador has brought something unique to golf and have all taken different paths in the sport highlighting golf as an International, Interprovincial and social game as well creating opportunities to work in the sport.
The Ambassadors highlight opportunities to travel, friendships, mental and physical health benefits, networking opportunities and enjoyment as reasons they have taken up, stayed involved in or returned to golf.
Golf4Girls4Life is a 4 stage programme that provides self - progression and confidence before a girl loses that first illusive shot from her 36 handicap. Each stage has its own unique National Ambassador; Olivia Mehaffey, Leona Maguire, Stephanie Meadow and Maria Dunne.
Stage 1 Get into Golf: Olivia Mehaffey
Having reached World Number 3, represented her club, province, country, GB&I and now a National Champion with her college Arizona State, Olivia Mehaffey has achieved accolades in golf that so many could only dream of. However, it is for her passion for the game, bubbly personality and energy that she was chosen to be a Golf4Girls4Life Ambassador.
She acknowledges that so many people have enabled her to get to where she is, including many volunteers and PGA Professionals;
“Golf4Girls4Life is a really exciting programme and I am looking forward to being an ambassador. I have had fantastic support growing up from PGA Professionals and Volunteers at all levels and I am happy to give something back to the game through this role.”
Stage 2 Engage in Golf: Leona Maguire
Arguably the best female golfer that Ireland has produced to date, World Number 1 Amateur Leona Maguire is the Golf4Girls4Life Stage 2 Ambassador. Leona is a poster girl for hard work and determination which has gotten her to where she is today. Leona, who took up golf alongside her twin sister Lisa, now studies at Duke University in South Carolina and a career on the LPGA Tour is in her sights, however it is important to her to give back and inspire young girls to take up the game that they can play and enjoy their whole life;
“You learn every day you play, never give up – golf is an incredible game that will allow you to make new friends and provide you with exciting opportunities if you have the right attitude.”
Stage 3 Play Golf: Stephanie Meadow
Having left her home of Royal Portrush at a young age, Stephanie Meadow never forgot her roots, returning home from the States each year to represent her country and wear the green jersey. Stephanie hails her parents commitment as a key factor to her success in making it as a LPGA Professional and would tell her 10 year-old self that, “failure is OK, it happens and sometimes life happens but it is how you react that makes the difference to you being a great person and a good role model.” As Golf4Girls4Life Stage 3 Ambassador Stephanie’s resilience will inspire so many.
Stage 4 Progress in Golf: Maria Dunne
Maria Dunne’s journey through golf has been an interesting one. Having earned provincial and national honours at a young age, she went to college in the US. However once she returned home, life and injuries inhibited her golf and it wasn’t until her late 20’s that she really began to flourish. Now representing her country and GB&I at the age of 33, she accredits fitness and health as an important part of her game and when speaking about being the Stage 4 Golf4Girls4Life Ambassador she said “I just hope I can inspire the girls to love the game as much as I do.”
Research from Sport NI highlights that 45% of younger children will attribute “famous people” or high profile athletes as inspiring them to take part in sport. However, as they get older, this number reduces and people closer to them become the inspiration.
With this in mind, a number of Ambassadors, who will be closer to the girls participating in the Golf4Girls4Life have been chosen as Programme Ambassadors also. They will be able to inspire young girls to aim for success other than just international achievements. Each Ambassador will be invited to attend the Golf4Girls4Life Festivals, where girls from the 80 clubs participating in the programme this year will come together for a day of challenges, games and fun with their club mates and fellow girl golfers.
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