While the world’s top professionals were battling on the famous links courses of the world, the future of Irish golf was on full display in the heart of County Carlow. On the 9th and 10th of July, the magnificent Mount Wolseley Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort played host to the 2025 U.S. Kids Golf Irish Open, a vibrant, international showcase of the next generation of talent.
For two days, the fairways of the Christy O’Connor Jnr.-designed course were filled with the energy and ambition of boys and girls aged from 6 to 18. This event has quickly become a cornerstone of the junior golf calendar, providing a world-class tournament experience right here on home soil.
A World-Class Stage for a Global Field
The U.S. Kids Golf tour is renowned for its brilliant, family-friendly format, and the Irish Open was a perfect example. The course was intelligently set up with scaled yardages for each age group, ensuring a fair and enjoyable challenge for everyone from the youngest competitors playing 9 holes a day to the elite 15-18 year olds battling over the full 18.
True to form, the event attracted a genuinely global field, with families travelling from across Europe and beyond to compete. This international flavour is what makes the tournament so special, giving our homegrown players a chance to test their skills against a wide array of talent.
Amidst the many flags, the Irish contingent stood tall. Playing through classic summer conditions of damp turf and variable breezes, our junior stars showcased the depth of talent emerging across the island.
Irish Talent Shines Through
While full results are spread across dozens of age divisions, the prize-giving ceremonies told a clear story: Irish golfers were collecting plenty of silverware.
One standout performance came from Belfast’s own Ronan Duffy. Competing in a fiercely contested 9-hole-per-day division, Ronan showed incredible composure to secure a fantastic runner-up finish. It was a milestone result and a proud moment for the young player.
Ronan was just one of many. Across the age groups, Irish boys and girls were consistently featuring on the podiums, a testament to the brilliant work being done in junior golf programs at clubs all over the country.
Why This Event is a Win for Irish Golf
The importance of the U.S. Kids Golf Irish Open cannot be overstated. It provides our young players with invaluable experience in a professional tournament setting. For the older age groups, strong performances earn crucial Junior Golf Scoreboard ranking points.
More importantly, a good finish here unlocks “Priority Status,” which is the key that opens doors to even bigger international events, including the prestigious U.S. Kids World Championships. It is a proven pathway for ambitious young golfers.
Seeing the next generation compete with such skill and sportsmanship at a superb venue like Mount Wolseley is a joy to behold. The future of Irish golf is bright, and it was shining brilliantly in Carlow.
