Over 20 young golfers have been granted a quarter of a million euro to drive them on to become the next Padraig Harrington, it was confirmed today.

The Team Ireland Golf Trust has granted a total of 270,000 euro between 22 aspiring golfers who are pursuing their careers on professional golf tours.

Sports Minister John O’Donoghue said: “The Trust has been successful in two important objectives. Firstly, it enables talented young golfers to achieve their full potential.

“Secondly, the participation and success of Irish golfers in the international golf tours is an important advertisement of Ireland as a golf tourism destination, especially in Ryder Cup year.”

The Trust, which is run by the Irish Sports Council to increase the number of Irish golf professionals on international tours, funds golfers who have playing rights on the major tours and young golfers who are starting out competing on the professional golf circuit.

The golfers supported by Team Ireland Golf Trust will be able to avail of the new golf academy at Carton House free-of-charge. Mr O’Donoghue said the Golf Union of Ireland’s National Coaching Academy will be available to the Trust golfers from April 2006.

Ossie Kilkenny, chairman of the Irish Sports Council, said: “The Trust demonstrates the value of a partnership approach, with all agencies working together to support talented golfers with the shared aim of ensuring Ireland has a presence on the major tours.”

In 2006, some of the golfers who benefited from the Trust, including Stephen Browne, David Higgins and Michael Hoey, will play the PGA European Tour, while Rebecca Coakley will be the sole Irish cardholder on the Ladies European Tour.

Some of the former Trust recipients Peter Lawrie, Gary Murphy and Damian McGrane are now established on the European Tour.

The Trust, which is a partnership between state agencies, private companies and the various golf organisations, will also keep aside funds for distribution to assist other golfers competing in the Tour Qualifying Schools.