The Junior Golf Academy is a unique organisation, currently the only one of its kind in Ireland. It offers young, golf minded 16-19 year olds the opportunity to combine their chosen sport of golf with a National Diploma.

Using a modern, purpose built facility, opened by Rory McIlroy in June, the class of 2009 has arrived on campus and has started their training.

Rory McIlroy ran a golf clinic for the students after officially opening the new facility at Greenmount Campus

This year’s intake sees some great new talent arriving on Campus. Enrolments this year are up 25 percent from 2008 and include students from Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and England.

“Along with all the new male talent, I am pleased to see another female golfer join us this year” stated Karl Morris, Programme Director. “This is an exciting time at the Academy, with new facilities, some great new coaching technology and a great team. By all accounts, 2009 looks likely to be an exciting year.”

The Greenkeeping and Golf Academy which opened in May at Greenmount Campus is a partnership project between the Golfing Union of Ireland (Ulster Branch) and the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE). The College has been involved in horticultural education and training since 1921. The first courses in greenkeeping and sportsturf management commenced in September 1989 and at this time two golf holes and two sports pitches were created.

CAFRE is delighted in 2009 to have developed its relationship with the GUI to the stage where this Academy has been constructed to train future generations of greenkeepers and golfers and are pleased that the GUI is supporting a number of greenkeeping cadets each year through educational bursaries.

For further details on the Junior Golf Academy visit the website - juniorgolf.org.uk