Gareth Maybin’s bank balance is considered healthy enough for the Ballyclare pro not to be included on the list of 18 Irish professional golfers to benefit from this year’s Team Ireland grant allocation of €231,000.

The 28-year-old won the inaugural Qingdao Open in China last September before going on to finish fourth on the Challenge Tour order of merit to secure his playing rights on the European Tour.

Since graduating to the main Tour, Maybin has gone from strength to strength this season. In six events he has earned just less than the total Team Ireland allocation (€204,053) and currently lies 19th in the Race to Dubai standings.

Maybin has made the cut in his last four events – made five out of six – and finished runner-up in the South African Open when he lost a play-off to Richard Sterne just before Christmas. That earned him a healthy cheque for €115,000.

Last weekend, he carded a final round 66 and shot up the leaderboard at the Maybank Malaysian Open. He eventually finished sixth and won €54,425. Up to a career-high 84th in the world, Maybin has made such a quick impression this season that, had he won in Kuala Lumpur, he would have booked himself a place at the prestigious WGC – Accenture World Match Play in the States next week.

Michael Hoey is another Challenge Tour graduate who didn’t receive financial support this year because of his strong start to the season. However, they will both continue to receive non-financial support available to all Trust golfers. That includes coaching from Brendan McDaid and full use of the GUI National Academy at Carton House.

Hoey could have reason to feel hard done by, for although he has had two top 15 finishes –South African Open (11th) and Joburg Open (12th) – his €32,318 in prize money pales in comparison to Maybin’s earnings at present.

Jonathan Caldwell won his European Tour card at the first attempt and the 2007 Walker Cup player received one of the top grants worth €20,000. Although he showed glimpses of his talent with a 67 in the second round of the Dunhill Championship, the Clandeboye pro has only made €3,100 from two events after making the cut and finishing tied 57th at the Joburg Open.

Caldwell was one of five Irish professionals to be awarded the top grant, with the other four going to members of the Ladies European Tour (LET). Martina Gillen (50th), Rebecca Coakley (68th), Claire Coughlan and Tara Delaney were all awarded €20,000, while Hazel Kavanagh received €10,000 on her return to the European scene.

Delaney earned her full LET card at the first attempt and the quintet of golfers provides a strong Irish representation on the Ladies circuit.

Michael McGeady picked up €15,000 and Alan Murray €12,000 to assist with their pursuits on the Challenge Tour. McGeady made good progress in 2008 and just missed out on gaining a full European Tour card at Qualifying School.

“The support from the Team Ireland Golf Trust has been of great benefit to me since I turned professional,” said McGeady. “Firstly the financial support is a real practical benefit as competing on international tours is expensive.

“The coaching and other services are a great benefit as golf professionals are increasingly seeking specialist science and medical support. Over the years the Trust has supported many of the top Irish players and it is a boost to be selected on the scheme.”

The Trust is in its 10th year and has provided €2.3 million in financial support to golfers to date. It is administered by the Irish Sport Council and is a partnership between state agencies and the various golf organisations. Financial backing comes from the Irish Sports Council, Fáilte Ireland and the PGA European Tour.

Pádraig Harrington, Paul McGinley, Peter Lawrie, Damien McGrane and Gary Murphy are all previous recipients of Team Ireland grants.

“The Trust was established with a very specific goal in mind, increasing the number of Irish golfers competing and winning on the top tours…2008 was a great year for Irish golf and for the Trust with so much success on the European Tour,” said Padraig O’hUiginn, Team Ireland Golf Trust chairman.

“It demonstrates that sustained long-term investment in talent will bring results. We are proud and delighted with the achievements of Irish golfers and hope for more success in 2009.”

Team Ireland Golf Trust 2009 Allocation

€20,000

Jonathan Caldwell (European Tour)

Martina Gillen (Ladies European Tour)

Claire Coughlan (Ladies European Tour)

Rebecca Coakley (Ladies European Tour)

Tara Delaney (Ladies European Tour)

€15,000

Michael McGeady (Challenge Tour)

€12,000

Alan Murray (Challenge Tour)

Gareth Shaw (Challenge Tour)

Colm Moriarty (Challenge Tour)

Simon Thornton (Challenge Tour)

€10,000

Brian McElhinney (Europro Tour & Challenge Tour)

Peter O'Keeffe (Europro Tour & Challenge Tour)

Richard Kilpatrick (Europro Tour & Challenge Tour)

Hazel Kavanagh (Ladies European Tour)

€7,000

Mark Campbell (EPD Tour & Challenge Tour)

Niall Turner (US Hooters Tour)

Paul O'Hanlon (Europro Tour)

Marian Riordan (Ladies European Tour)

Total: €231,000