Roganstown to host inaugural Irish Open for Golfers with a Disability

The first-ever Irish Open for Golfers with a Disability will take place in Roganstown Hotel & Country Club on July 5-6.
“We are thrilled that the first Irish Open for Golfers with a Disability will be taking place this summer;” said Golf Ireland CEO Mark Kennelly.
“Representatives from Golf Ireland recently travelled to Portugal to see how EDGA help run and manage events for golfers with a disability, and I know our staff and those in Roganstown will help put on a tremendous event this July.”
As part of Golf Ireland’s 2022-2026 Strategic Plan, one of the objectives was to ‘deliver a clear, streamlined, inclusive and equitable event calendar, including disability and development competitions.’
“We are delighted to be bringing this event to Ireland,” said Golf Ireland’s Disability & Inclusion Committee Chair Gerri Houlihan
“It will be a fantastic opportunity for the very talented golfers with disabilities we have on the island of Ireland to play on home soil showcasing their amazing talent inspired by home support. I hope this tournament will encourage other golfers with a disability to participate and engage in the game at all levels

---

The news of the Irish Open for Golfers with a Disability comes after Golf Ireland launched the 2022 Golf4All programme. Elite golfers with a disability can apply for funding for the 2022 season.

The 2022 Golf4All Grants. the programme aims to provide support to clubs, organisations and individuals playing in Golf events or providing a service for Golfers with a disability.

With the support of Sport Ireland and Sport NI, Golf Ireland are now in the position to launch a follow-on support package for:

• Elite individual golfers with a disability
• Interested groups/organisations preparing for Golf Events
• Interested golf clubs/facilities with or developing a Golf4All Hub

For more info visit here – https://www.golfireland.ie/news-detail?newsarticleid=453&tags=Disability

---

“The Irish Open for Golfers with a Disability looks set to be a hugely popular tournament,” President of EDGA and Head of Disability and Inclusion for the International Golf Federation Tony Bennett said.
“I am sure that Golf Ireland’s commitment to delivering a fantastic tournament, and the legendary Irish welcome, will combine to make this a memorable event. This first Irish Open for Golfers with a Disability will likely become the cornerstone for an increasing number of outreach programmes, and more opportunities for golfers with a disability as clubs and provinces join to make golf the most inclusive of all sports. Congratulations to all those involved in turning the vision into a reality.”
Apply for an Eligibility Pass: You will need to apply for, and receive an approved eligibility pass if you wish to participate in an EDGA badged or a WR4GD approved event. Passes are administered and issued by the EDGA Eligibility Team and come in three levels, WR4GD, Access and Access Conditional. The application process is simple and free of charge.

Don’t miss out – NI clubs can apply for The Open Legacy Community Golf Programme

The Golfing Union of Ireland (Ulster Branch) and the Confederation of Golf in Ireland (CGI) have been successful in obtaining funding to support 20 golf clubs across Northern Ireland to take part in The Open Legacy Community Golf Programme which will be rolled out in the early months of 2020.
The programme, which will be funded to the tune of £75,000 via the Department for Communities in NI and Sport NI, aims to drive an increase in golf participation and will offer a variety of opportunities to clubs.
Each participating club will be supported to deliver five weeks of PGA Professional led golf activity in local primary schools during the months of February and March.
Additionally, the 20 successful clubs will receive a significant amount of modified golf equipment which will allow golf activity to take place in non-traditional settings such as school halls and playgrounds.
Each club will be tasked to target two primary schools in their area where initial golf activity will take place with costs covered by The Open Legacy fund. Each school will also be offered the opportunity for participating children to take part in a golf festival event involving other schools from their locality.
To follow on from the initial five week coaching programme it is envisaged that each Club will offer a ‘taster session’ in the club that will allow the children who have engaged in the school-based golf activity the chance to try golf in a club environment and possibly get involved in beginner programmes and activities.
Rory Leonard, CGI Development Officer said: “To assist with this activity volunteers from participating clubs will be offered spaces on a CGI Leader’s Workshop where they will enhance their ability to deliver quality experiences of golf.
“Furthermore, once links have been established between the golf clubs and the schools, there will be the opportunity for golf activity to continue in the schools with the use of modified golf equipment still available.”
CGI will also be staging a number of community golf awareness days across NI in partnership with local authorities, voluntary organisations, universities and colleges which will target young people, women & girls and people with disabilities, giving them the opportunity to be introduced to golf and signposted to clubs in their area.
To express your clubs interest in being involved in The Open Legacy Community Golf Programme please complete the following application form by Friday 17th January 2020:
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/OpenLegacyNI