A total of €205,000 has been allocated by the Team Ireland Trust to aspiring golfers who are pursuing their careers on professional tours such as the European Tour, the Challenge Tour, the Europro Tour and the Ladies European Tour, reports John O'Sullivan.

The financial support is crucial to golfers who have playing rights on the major tours and young players who are starting out on the professional circuit. Included amongst the recipients are three Irish female professionals who will ply their trade on the Ladies European Tour.

Rebecca Coakley, who has established herself as a member of the Tour for the last two years, is joined by newcomers from the amateur ranks, Claire Coughlan and Martina Gillen. As part of the Trust's support package, all the golfers can avail of the world-class facilities at the GUI's National Academy at Carton House.

TEAM IRELAND GOLF TRUST 2007- Claire Coughlan €20,000, Martina Gillen €20,000, Rebecca Coakley €20,000, Stephen Browne €15,000, Michael Hoey €15,000, Michael McGeady €15,000, Colm Moriarty €15,000, Brian McElhinney €15,000, Damian Mooney €10,000, David Mortimer €10,000, Simon Thornton €10,000, David Jones €10,000, Michael McDermott €10,000, Gareth Maybin €10,000, Noel Fox, €10,000.