High Performance places for young Meath golfers

Six young Meath golfers made the cut last week when Golf Ireland announced their High Performance panel for 2020 / 2021.

The men’s High Performance and girls u-17 Performance Development panels were revealed following on from the announcement in early October of the new Golf Ireland Pathway for High Performance and other panel selections.

The top young golfers from Royal Tara and Black Bush are included amongst the 36 girls who were announced for the u-17 panel and they include Black Bush duo Caoimhe O'Grady and Niamh O'Grady along with a quartet from Royal Tara that comprises Sophie Sharp, Niamh Carroll, Hannah Guerin and Chloe Maples-Gaffney.

“I am so happy to be selected for the u-17 Performance Development Panel. It is such a privilege and I could hardly believe it when I found out, the hard work has paid off," commented Royal Tara golfer Chloe Maples-Gaffney.

"I cannot wait to learn and grow as a golfer amongst the other girls and gain the experience of what High Performance golf is about,” she added.

Two years ago Guerin put on an exceptional display at the Irish qualifier for the American Golf Junior Championship at Swords Golf Club making it through to the final.

The Meath girl played the round of her life scoring an impressive 47 points off a handicap of 24 to take first place in the girls’ nett category.

Caoimhe O’Grady, a daughter of Black Bush club professional Shane O'Grady and Regina O'Grady, was the youngest nominee for the Young Meath Sportsperson of the Year in 2015 and with her sister Niamh have made great progress over the last few years. She won the ILGU Junior Medal in 2015.

Caoimhe O’Grady and Chloe Maples Gaffney competed at the ILGU Junior Medal final at Seapoint Golf Club in 2017 and last year were successful in the ILGU Junior Cup.