ELITE: Indiana-based Killarney Golf and Fishing Club member Valerie Clancy has been named as one of the top 15 rising golf stars in the country.

EXCLUSIVE

By Sean Moriarty

A Killarney golfer has been named as one of 15 high performance athletes by Golf Ireland and is in line for funding to help her progress her career. Valerie Clancy from Fossa is the only Kerry golfer on the 15-strong list and has been a member of Killarney Golf and Fishing Club since she was 12-years-old.

Valerie (20), is currently based at the University of Indiana where she plays college golf with the university’s ladies team.

Forming part of the Golf Ireland player pathway, the funded programme aims to assist players in gaining international experience, helping them to develop their skills towards improved tournament performance.
“Providing financial assistance that supports players’ participation in international amateur events is a key objective of the programme. It provides the opportunity to support players as they strive to balance competing internationally with commitments outside of the sport, such as careers and education. Players are empowered to become self-sufficient in the design and execution of their personal performance plans,” Alan Kelly of Golf Ireland explained.

Competition for places was even tighter this year following the amalgamation of the Irish Ladies Golf Union and the Golfing Union of Ireland as Golf Ireland.

Valerie is currently at home in Fossa on an extended Christmas break – and is self-isolating - after the university moved all its teaching online until the New Year because of COVID-19 restrictions in the Mid-West State.
“It will help my career as I can enter international tournaments and know that some or all of my expenses will be reimbursed. I could, possibly, enter a European tournament before I go back to Indiana in January,” she told the Killarney Advertiser. “I am very grateful, Golf Ireland has been very supportive and I am seen by them as a top player and an elite player on the same panel as men in Ireland.”