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Golf Ireland: Golf Ireland Shortlisted for Two Sport Positive Awards 2026

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Golf Ireland has been named among 80 Global Changemakers shortlisted for the Sport Positive Awards 2026.


The Sport Positive Awards are decided by an independent faculty of global judges and are among the most established in sport and sustainability, celebrating the clubs, federations, venues and individuals leading the sport sector’s response to climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental justice.


The Awards are presented alongside the Sport Positive Summit, taking place 6-7 October 2026 in collaboration with the UNFCCC and the International Olympic Committee – bringing together global leaders from across sport, including rights holders, venues, federations, governing bodies, tournaments, athletes, government and UN bodies, to safeguard the future of sport. It’s one of the industry’s leading gatherings on sport and sustainability, and this year’s shortlist spans organisations from Ireland to the UAE, Australia to Brazil, and Japan to the USA, across categories including Transformation, Education and Training, Biodiversity Project and Purpose-Led Partnership.


To be shortlisted at all, among 80 organisations and individuals worldwide, is a significant marker of credibility on the world stage. To be shortlisted twice places Golf Ireland among a small number of organisations recognised across multiple categories this year.


Golf Ireland is shortlisted in:

  • Transformation, for Drive the Green – Golf Ireland’s 2024-27 strategy that has turned scattered goodwill across the sport into systemic national action, harnessing the power of the collective as clubs across Ireland tackle shared challenges together.
  • Education and Training, for the Sustainability Leaders Programme – free, expert-led support that puts a “sustainability caddie” in every club’s bag, helping clubs tackle everything from biodiversity and decarbonisation to water, waste and funding. Since launch, the programme has grown from an 18-club pilot to more than 125 clubs taking part nationwide – proof of what’s possible when the collective strength of Irish golf gets behind a shared goal.

The shortlist places Golf Ireland alongside organisations including UEFA, Liverpool FC, World Rowing and the AFL, on a global stage recognising the people and organisations leading sport’s response to the climate and biodiversity crisis. It’s also great to see others from the island of Ireland recognised on the world stage, with Ulster GAA and Croke Park also shortlisted this year.

Ann Courtney, Head of Sustainability at Golf Ireland, said:
“We are absolutely delighted to see Golf Ireland shortlisted for two Sport Positive Awards this year. This recognition belongs to the clubs across the island who have shown up for this work – to our staff and volunteers, our leadership team and Board’s unwavering commitment, our Sustainability Committee, the partners we’re proud to collaborate with, and the experts who’ve supported us along the way. It’s been years in the making, and it’s a genuine team effort.”


“To be recognised on the global stage like this is humbling, and we hope it brings even greater visibility for the collaboration and opportunity this work can unlock – for clubs, for the game, and for Ireland as a destination where golf and nature go hand in hand.”


“I’m looking forward to speaking at Sport Positive and attending the event alongside sport organisations from right around the world.”

 

Flying the flag for Irish golf


This shortlisting is a chance to fly the flag for Irish golf on the world stage – showing the leadership our clubs, staff and volunteers have shown in sustainability, and the strength of a sport built on the collective effort of communities right across the island.

Winners of the Sport Positive Awards 2026 will be announced at the Sport Positive Summit on 6 October.

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