The G4D Tour, European Disabled Golf Association (EDGA) and Golf Ireland came together this week at the G4D @ Horizon Irish Open to put on a clinic for local disabled people and potentially find the next Brendan Lawlor.
The third event of the inaugural G4D Tour season was taking place at Mount Juliet Golf Estate ahead of the Horizon Irish Open, with ten of the world's top golfers with a disability battling it out to join Kipp Popert, who won the first two G4D events of the year at the Betfred British Masters hosted by Danny Willett and the Porsche European Open, in the winner’s circle.
And alongside the competitive action, EDGA hosted a coaching clinic for a local disability organisation, with some of the members having little or no experience of golf.
EDGA's Head of Development Mark Taylor was one of those leading the clinic, and he was delighted to give participants the chance to learn and experience the game and potentially even follow in the footsteps of local favourite and World Ranking for Golfers with Disability (WR4GD) Number One Lawlor.
"We're trying to showcase the game and the health benefits, it's a unique opportunity to get organisations from the disability sector to come and view and understand how good golf can be for people with disabilities," he said.
These new players can hopefully continue to become participants, regular golfers, and maybe even then get further into the competitive strands of the game as well
"We've had a mixed group of participants, some have played the game before, some have only played mini golf but it's nice to showcase how good the game can be, get the organisation involved and give them an opportunity together with Golf Ireland to create a player pathway.
"These new players can hopefully continue to become participants, regular golfers, and maybe even then get further into the competitive strands of the game as well.
"Golf is golf, golf isn't disabled, golf is just the game. The difference that we can make to people's lives is quite amazing, I've worked in golf for all of my life and this is one the best jobs I've had because the difference I can make to somebody's life and the family around them is immense.
"It really can make a huge difference to these people because golf is a wonderful game and we very often forget the health benefits around it."
