Higgins boost ahead of Tour quest

David Higgins will begin his quest for success on the European Tour with backing from the Team Ireland Golf Trust.

The Waterville pro, and reignig Irish PGA Champion, is one of three PGA Professionals to benefit from grants totalling €140,000 handed out to 14 aspiring golfers who are pursuing their careers on professional golf tours.

Simon Thornton and Royal Dublin's Niall Kearney are being supported to in their bids on the Challenge Tour.

More than €3 million has been provided to golf professionals since the scheme was introduced in 1999 with the Trust aiming to contribute to an increase in the presence of Irish golf professionals on the various international tours.

Peter Lawrie, Damian McGrane, Michael Hoey and Shane Lowry are some of the graduates of the Trust who are enjoying extended and successful careers as touring professionals.

As part of the support package, all golfers can access the world class facilities at the GUI's National Academy at Carton House.

The golfers on the scheme also have free access to the network of service providers such as physiologists, sports psychologists, biomechanists, physiotherapists and doctors coordinated by the Institute of Sport at Abbotstown.

The PGA in Ireland, the Golfing Union of Ireland, and the Irish Ladies Golf Union are represented on the Golf Trust committee.

Kearney will receive a total of €15,000 to compete on both the Challenge Tour and in Asia in 2013, said: "I very much appreciate the support I receive from the Irish Sports Council and the Team Ireland Golf Trust.

The funding will once again give me the opportunity to travel and play in the tournaments necessary for me to progress to next level. My main goals for 2013 are to win on Tour and gain my European Tour card for next year."