The G4D Tour @ ISPS HANDA World Invitational at Galgorm Castle marks another landmark in Ireland’s development in the area of G4D (golf for the disabled).
But the significance of this DP World Tour event is also part of a fast-moving story that can inspire other countries around the world to raise their standards to create “golf for everyone”, as Golf Ireland’s own strategy slogan reads.
EDGA, the not-for-profit body, represents 39 countries in G4D and believes Golf Ireland’s recent progress deserves full attention, pointing to success brought about by a combination of the desire for positive change and the innovation and will to make it happen.
There is a clear player pathway that sees an introduction to the game for many people with a disability, while at the top end of the game Ireland’s leading players are fast becoming true world beaters.
Indeed, of the 11 competitor places for the G4D Tour @ ISPS HANDA World Invitational, two Irish players, Brendan Lawlor (World Ranked 2) and Conor Stone (Ranked 11), are from the leading raft of players in the World Ranking for Golfers with Disability (WR4GD).
There are in total four Irish players in the top-25 of the Gross Ranking and two players in the top 10 of the Stableford Ranking.
Last summer, the Irish team comprehensively won the European Golf Association’s European Team Championship.
So, where did it all go right?
Only those closest to G4D competitions around 2018 may have noticed the name Lawlor, the steely young competitor and fine shotmaker from Dundalk winning events on the EDGA Tour.
Apart from overseeing 100-plus international G4D tournaments, EDGA provides advice, guidance and standards to leading golfing bodies, including The IGF, The R&A, and the DP World Tour. The aim is to encourage 500,000 new golfers with a disability into the game.
In 2018, those running what would become Golf Ireland by 2020 (after an amalgamation of the men’s and ladies’ governing bodies) reached out to EDGA. Its President Tony Bennett travelled to Carton House in County Kildare to share advice on how to start their own journey in G4D, with effectively a fresh page of paper.
Tony Bennett said: “There was a clear desire to do something very good in the G4D space, and we offered support so that Golf Ireland could make G4D part of the fabric and culture for their staff and volunteers, under their control, so the best possible job could be done for new and existing golfers with disability. Working closely with many other nations in this field, we were essentially able to offer best practice to ensure progress in development, eligibility for competition, coaching standards and more.”
Bennett added: “Even at that first meeting at Carton House we could tell we were talking to a strong, committed group of people with plenty of expertise, and it was clear they were fully invested in training the volunteers, coaches, referees and tournament organisers to create an exciting player development pathway for Ireland, from the earliest sampling and participation of new people with a disability, to the highest level.”
EDGA has been able to give Golf Ireland a comprehensive understanding of how to elevate professional coaching standards in the G4D space. Training has also been given to Golf Ireland’s team and volunteers in the ‘first-touch’ D3 system that encourages people with a range of impairments (including physical, sensory and intellectual) to take their first shots in a safe, inclusive and fun environment.
The Irish tournament team attended multiple EDGA tournaments to learn how to stage events, including learning more about the eligibility process, before launching two G4D tournaments of their own, including their national championship at Roganstown.
Irish golfers were earning Ranking points to qualify for the G4D Tour itself, nine tournaments of which are being played in 2023 in the same weeks and on the same courses as the DP World Tour events: thus G4D players are often photographed on the practice range meeting the household names from the professional ranks, growing awareness on TV and through the media.
In 2023, golf clubs were provided with €112,000 to support training and education, programmes and activation, and small-scale infrastructure and equipment.
Crucially, at both EDGA events and G4D Tour championships the D3 first-touch format can be utilised. This means that while Brendan Lawlor and Conor Stone are on the fairways at Galgorm Castle playing in the G4D Tour @ ISPS HANDA World Invitational, the EDGA team will be on hand to introduce the game to brand new samplers with a disability.
When Lawlor tees off as one of the favourites to win, he does so as this year’s G4D Open champion; this event linked closely to The Open itself, staged by The R&A in partnership with the DP World Tour and supported by EDGA.
Lawlor’s win at Woburn in May was a personal triumph, but the way he played for his country to win the Team Championship last year perhaps underlines the feeling all these players have for Irish golf and its role in G4D.
EDGA enjoys the support of several partners such as the European Tour group whose contributions help to raise awareness, confirm eligibility, organise tournaments, deliver golf development and coach education. EDGA is grateful to receive a percentage of general funding, which allows the association's operation and support of service providers.
Ireland has worked with EDGA to populate owned and partner media channels. Golf Ireland can now direct new players on why to consider golf, while media outside golf puts the sport on the menu of options for players.
Meanwhile, EDGA’s approach to profiling leading G4D players like Irish team captain Gareth McNeilly, fellow Irish player Fiona Gray and others, assists national governing bodies to spread awareness effectively.
Golf Ireland’s strategic plan is titled, “Golf for Everyone” – “Our vision is that golf is a game for everyone – for enjoyment, for health, and for life.”
Bennett concluded: “It’s very exciting that Golf Ireland is able to reach out and find, and include, new players with a disability, many of whom will simply be enjoying all the health and social benefits that golf can bring. Golf Ireland’s tireless team are busy making their strategic vision a reality.”
