The Pitch Women’s Golf Academy was officially launched in Dublin last night, with an audience of 100s of women who took the time to come from work or come into Dawson Street to experience what it is all about. The energy in the room was off the charts. This idea will fly.
The new academy is designed to introduce more women to the sport in a welcoming, urban environment, while also supporting those who want to develop their skills, confidence, and connection to the game.
Building on Pitch’s established model, the programme removes many of the traditional barriers to golf, including cost, perception, and access to facilities.
The launch event was hosted by influencer Dearbhla Silke and featured contributions from a panel of high-profile Irish sports figures, including Stephanie Roche, Sarah O’Connor and Anna Foster.
“The academy is about meeting women where they are, rather than asking them to adapt to traditional golf structures,” said Rachael Sherry of Pitch Ireland.
“The Women’s Golf Academy is about confidence, community and creating a space where women feel they belong in the game from day one,” she said.
“Golf has so much to offer socially, physically and professionally, but too often it feels closed off. This academy is designed to change that.”
The Pitch Women’s Golf Academy will offer structured coaching, social play and off-course engagement, all delivered in a relaxed, city-based setting that reflects how modern participants want to engage with sport. The programme is aimed at both complete beginners and women returning to golf after time away.
During a panel discussion, Roche spoke about the importance of accessible entry points for women in all sports, highlighting how first experiences can shape long-term participation.
“Sport thrives when people feel welcome and supported,” she said. “Initiatives like this matter because they don’t assume prior knowledge or confidence – they help build it.”
O’Connor and Foster reflected on the changing conversation around women’s sport in Ireland, noting the growing demand for inclusive formats that fit around busy lives and challenge outdated perceptions of who sport is for.
O’Connor said that part of her motivation to play was to stay connected to her Mum, who is a player. Foster finished 42nd on the Order of Merit in her first year on the Ladies European Tour in 2025 and is keen that others are encouraged to enjoy the sport.
The launch underlines a broader shift within golf towards participation-led growth rather than reliance on traditional club pathways alone, though they can never be ignored or forgotten.
The sport is thriving at the moment, driven by rising participation and a wide range of Irish world-class role models. By positioning itself in an urban environment and focusing on community and experience, Pitch is aligning with wider trends seen across fitness, recreation and social sport.
The Women’s Golf Academy also complements national efforts to grow the female playing base, providing an on-ramp into golf that can sit alongside club membership, elite pathways or purely social engagement.
With the launch of the Pitch Women’s Golf Academy, Dublin now has a new, clearly defined entry point for women curious about golf – one built around inclusion, flexibility and the idea that the sport can fit modern lifestyles, not the other way around.
It is hoped that this will be the first of six such nights through 2026, and there is also space for a headline partner who wants to connect with an audience that will be coming back for more.
Image Credit: Sport for Business, Ryan Byrne, Inpho.ie
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