Gildernew gives greenkeeping and golfing a boost at Greenmount

Minister Michelle Gildernew MP, MLA congratulated CAFRE and the Golfing Union of Ireland on the opening of a Greenkeeping and Golf Academy at Greenmount Campus.

Speaking at the opening, which she performed jointly with P J Collins, President of the Golfing Union of Ireland, the Minister said: “Golf is a very popular sport and the development of these cutting edge training facilities at Greenmount will offer a further boost to the sport locally. Ireland, as we know, is one of the world's leading destinations for golf and excellent golfing facilities, such as this, can only further help enhance tourism in rural areas.

“The development of this project provides a great illustration of the benefits which can materialise when industry and my Department work closely together. This facility will enhance the training of green keepers, facilitate technology work in sportsturf and help train the next generation of top golfers.

“I would like to thank the Golfing Union of Ireland for their support in this project and for funding cadetships for two trainee greenkeepers each year. These new facilities are very impressive and offer an excellent resource to the local golfing fraternity, placing the new academy right up there with the best in Ireland. The ultimate goal with these new facilities is that not only can existing golfers take advantage, but that future generations of greenkeeping students and young golfers will benefit for many years to come.”

P J Collins, President of the Golfing Union of Ireland, said: “I am delighted to be here today to see this project materialise, a project which I was involved in at its inception back in 2005. It offers a wonderful resource for our elite young golfers to raise their game to world standards. We in the GUI appreciate the work of CAFRE in producing highly skilled greenkeepers to maintain and manage our golf courses. I look forward to continuing our excellent working relationship with the College.”

The facility includes an eight bay driving range, a short game practice area, as well as three complete holes including water hazards and bunkers so that the golfers can experience the normal challenges of a course. First to drive off was Rory McIlroy, a product of the Ulster Branch training scheme, and a world champion in his own right having won on the European Tour for the first time in 2009. Rory complimented the GUI and CAFRE saying: “This facility will ensure that there will be many young golfers from the North prepared to challenge for the game’s honours in years to come. It is a truly excellent facility with top class greens and tees which are a real credit to the college staff who are training our greenkeepers.”

Notes to Editors:

1. The College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) currently delivers a suite of sports turf education programmes at Greenmount campus to meet the needs of the sports turf industry. There is a range of part-time and full-time programmes ranging from the National Vocational Qualification at Level 2 to the Foundation Degree/ Certificate of Higher Education at Level 4.

2. The Cadetship programme which commences this year will run from 1 September to 31 August each year. The programme is aimed at school leavers with a keen interest in developing a career in greenkeeping. GUI is supporting two cadetships this year with a financial bursary of £15,000. For further information, contact CAFRE on freephone 0800 0284291.

3. All media enquiries to DARD Press Office, telephone 028 9052 4619. Out of office hours, contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440, and your call will be returned.