Rheda Quinn so prominent in reviving Junior Golf in County Longford

In a county with only one golf club, creating opportunities for young people to discover the game is vital to its future.

At County Longford Golf Club, junior membership has grown dramatically in recent years. Membership has increased from just 20 players in 2021 to over 100 boys and girls who now take part in regular coaching, competitions and inter-club events.

Much of that progress can be attributed to the work of Rheda Quinn, whose dedication and leadership as Junior Convenor have helped revitalise the club’s junior section and turn it into one of the most vibrant parts of the club.

Quinn took on the role in 2021, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, a difficult time for many sports clubs across the country. The junior section had been hit hard with just a small group of players involved and a structure that needed a new lease of life.

“There was always a junior section in the club,” said Quinn.

“My job, I felt, was to kind of reignite what was there and move it on, to progress it and establish it on a more formal basis.”

In the years since, that vision has steadily taken shape. What began as a group of just 20 young players has evolved into a thriving junior community that is now an integral part of life at the club.

A key part of that development was in creating a clear framework for how the junior section would operate. Quinn established a dedicated Junior Committee bringing together volunteers, parents, club members and the club professional to help guide the programme and ensure it continued to grow.

She also introduced an annual development plan which outlines the activities planned for the year ahead. The plan includes coaching sessions, club competitions and the various inter-club events the juniors take part in.

“I always do out a development plan for what we are going to do for the year ahead,” said Quinn.

“We put forward the plan to the parents, and we explain what we’re going to do, what competitions we enter, what events we run. We tell them everything and we involve the parents.”

That approach has been central to the programme’s growth, with families becoming increasingly involved in supporting junior golfers both on and off the course.

The communication and organisation have helped create a positive environment where juniors feel encouraged to develop their game.

For Quinn, the focus has also extended beyond simply growing numbers. One of her priorities was ensuring that young golfers had the opportunity to compete against players from other clubs and experience golf outside of their home course.

“We are the only club in County Longford,” said Quinn.

“So I was anxious that our players would meet players from other clubs.”

That desire to allow children to broaden their horizons led to the establishment of the Midwest Junior Alliance, an inter-club competition involving nearby clubs including Athlone, Roscommon, Carrick-on-Shannon, Strokestown and Castlerea.

The event sees players compete for the Mick Diviney Perpetual Trophy and has quickly become one of the highlights of the junior calendar.

“They just love those competitions, they really do and they’re absolutely brilliant,” said Quinn.

“All these things are wonderful experiences for these junior players.”

County Longford’s juniors have also competed in the Golf Ireland GolfSixes League for the first time and this year are planning to take part in GolfNines, providing another opportunity for young players to represent their club in a team environment.

While competitions are an important part of development, Quinn believes it is equally important for juniors to be inspired by the wider game.

The club has organised visits to professional tournaments, allowing young golfers the chance to see some of the game’s top professionals up close.

“We brought the girls to the KPMG Women’s Irish Open, and we brought the boys last year to the Irish Open,” said Quinn.

“We bring them on trips like this as much as possible and I think actually that helps to retain our members.”

Beyond the competitive side of golf, Quinn believes the greatest impact of the junior programme can be seen in the building of confidence and the friendships that develop amongst the players.

“The first thing I would see is the fun and the enjoyment and the social side of it,” said Quinn.

“They could be a bit shy when they start, don’t know what to do, and in time they make friends and they love it.”

As the junior section has grown, it has also strengthened the sense of community within the club itself.

For many families, the junior programme has also allowed for golf to become an experience to share across the generations.

“There are grandparents playing with grandchildren and parents out on course with their children,” said Quinn.

“It’s terrific to see families enjoying the game together.”

The increasing presence of young golfers has also brought new energy, creating a vibrant atmosphere that is felt throughout the club.

“The general membership of the club are very much behind us, and they can see the progress, and they can feel the energy and vibrancy around the club,” said Quinn.

“There is no doubt about that and it’s being commented on all the time.”

Despite the progress that has been made, Quinn remains focused on the future. While junior membership is strong, she believes there is still work to be done to ensure the programme continues to grow and develop in the years ahead.

“My number one would be to see an increase in the number of girls in our club. That’s my main aim this year,” said Quinn.

“We do not have enough and we need more.”

In recognition of her commitment and leadership in developing junior golf at County Longford Golf Club, Quinn has been nominated in the Junior Development category at the Golf Ireland Club Volunteer of the Year Awards.

The nomination recognises the work she has done in building a strong foundation for the club’s junior section and creating opportunities for young golfers across the county. For Quinn, the recognition came as an unexpected but welcome surprise.

“I had to read it a couple of times and I said, I think they made a mistake, I honestly couldn't believe it,” said Quinn.

“Of course, I am very honoured to be shortlisted for the award, and it is an honour to accept it on behalf of the club, especially the junior section of the club.”

“It’s lovely to see the progress we’ve made be recognised. It’s an honour and a privilege.”

The growth of the junior section, the enthusiasm of the players and the involvement of families have all contributed to a renewed sense of optimism about the future of golf in Longford.

Over the past five years the club’s progress has been remarkable, transforming the junior section into a thriving community that continues to attract new members.

For Quinn, the most important task now is ensuring that momentum continues.

“I think junior membership in our club is very strong, I really do,” said Quinn.

“I can’t see it waning in any way going into the future. All we need to do now is just keep increasing.”