Fairway To The Future: Girls Unlock STEM Careers In Golf

With The 153rd Open Championship returning to Royal Portrush this July, 40 Year 10 girls from North Coast Integrated College, Coleraine College and Our Lady of Lourdes High School took part in an exciting and immersive Girls in STEM Education Day – showcasing the vast range of career opportunities in the golf industry, both locally and globally. 

Hosted by Ulster University in partnership with Royal Portrush Golf Club, The R&A, Golf Ireland and BIGGA (the British and International Golf Greenkeeper’s Association), the event aimed to challenge perceptions around golf as a male-dominated field and inspire young women to explore future careers in areas such as tourism, engineering, media, coaching, greenkeeping and sports psychology. 

The day began at the Coleraine campus where pupils were welcomed to the University’s Sports Centre by Professor Malachy O’Neill, Director of Regional Engagement. The morning featured a wide range of practical workshops, offering pupils hands-on experience across different career and educational pathways within the golf sector. Activities included sessions in golf psychology, business and tourism, and interactive use of the golf simulator. 

In the afternoon, the girls travelled to Royal Portrush Golf Club, venue for The Open in 2025, where they had the opportunity to play a few holes with RPGC Pro Charlene Reid, experience greenkeeping demonstrations focused on sustainability and habitat management, and learn about the tech and science behind maintaining a world-class course. 

Dr Peter Bolan, Course Director for Ulster University’s Masters in Golf Management said:  

 “This is about opening young people’s eyes to the range of careers that exist behind the scenes in golf. It’s an industry with huge opportunity – right on our doorstep – yet still underrepresented by women. We want to change that.” 

Alison Moffitt-Robinson MBE, Active Campus Development Manager at Ulster University commented: 

 “As signatories of The R&A Women in Golf Charter, we in UU Sport are delighted to be able to continue to work collaboratively to raise awareness and encourage engagement of women and girls in all aspects of golf.  This event has provided the opportunity, along with our colleagues in the Educational Outreach Team, School of Sport & Exercise and the Business School to work with BIGGA, Golf Ireland and Royal Portrush Golf Club to show first-hand, the opportunities that exist within Golf in STEM related areas, that local young women may not otherwise have been aware of.  There is so much to learn and benefit from, and we hope that the return of The Open to Portrush this summer will be a catalyst not only to encourage more women and girls to play golf, but also to consider a future within the business of golf.” 

Claire Gordon, Educational Partnerships Manager at Ulster University, added: 

 “The Educational Partnerships Teams at Ulster University were thrilled to work alongside Sports Services and key external stakeholders to deliver this inspiring event for young females. Our strong focus on the widening access and participation agenda includes helping to co-design and deliver events that help to address the gender gap in STEM study and industry. The collaborative approach to this inspirational insight day made it even more impactful for pupils.” 

Pupils described the day as “amazing” and “eye-opening,” with one participant commenting: “I didn’t realise there were so many different jobs in golf – I thought it was just about playing. Now I’m thinking about careers I hadn’t even heard of before.” 

Charlene Reid, PGA Professional at Royal Portrush, said: 

“It was brilliant to see the girls on the course, gaining confidence and asking great questions. Golf is for everyone – and if we can help even one girl imagine herself in this industry, that’s a win.” 

Golf in the Community Officer, Eimear McQuillan, from Golf Ireland also praised the initiative, saying: 

 “Golf is evolving and becoming more inclusive. We’re proud to support events like this that shine a light on the huge variety of roles available across the sport – and to see young women leading the way.” 

Behind the playing scenes, there is an array of exciting career opportunities – locally and on an international stage – yet the sector remains male-dominated. This STEM Education Day was designed to break the stigma around young girls considering the golf industry as a career and to highlight the diverse and rewarding pathways available.