Brendan is out to make waves Down Under
Dundalk man bids to put Disabled Golf on the map and become world No 1. By Brian Keogh
SHANE Lowry and Paul Dunne will make headlines later this month when they bid for the ISPS Handa Melbourne World Cup of Golf in Melbourne.
But there will be another Irish player trying to make an impression Down Under over the next few weeks and if we’re to judge by his incredible feats in overcoming Ellis-Van Creveld Syndrome, a bone growth disorder that leads to shorter limbs, he could put the tour stars in the shade.
Dundalk’s Brendan Lawlor (21) is busy preparing for the trip of a lifetime that he hopes will help Disability Golf’s case for inclusion on the 2024 Paralympics programme in France and lead to the creation of an Irish Disabled Golfers Association.
As one of 12 golfers set to compete in the 54-hole Australian All Abilities Championships alongside the professionals during the forthcoming Emirates Australian Open at The Lakes Golf Club in Sydney from November 16-18, he recognises that this is a massive opportunity.
A win would see the Dundalk Senior Cup player become world No 1. But he will also get to meet his Irish heroes Lowry and Dunne when he plays in a two-day Ryder Cup-style match between Europe and Australia which will be conducted as an integral part of the World Cup of Golf in Melbourne the following week.
“This is the very first time it has happened,” Lawlor said of the Australian All Abilities Championship’s inclusion in the Emirates Australian Open. “There was a display at the Portuguese Masters but nothing like this where we will be playing competitively in the same field as the professionals.
“Ours is a three-day event, theirs is a four-day event. But when the cut is made, you will be paired with a pro-golfer and playing the same course.
“If I win in Australia I can go to world number one, so that’s my goal. I’m number three at the moment and getting to number one would be huge for me.”
Lawlor might be just 4’11”, but he’s a giant when it comes to competing, winning both his Senior Cup matches for Dundalk this year as a member of the squad that won the Leinster Barton Shield title, reached the semi-final of the Leinster Senior Cup and was beaten in the All-Ireland Barton Shield final
He only joined the European Disabled Golfers Tour late last year, but he settled quickly, winning three of his five events to shoot up both the European and World rankings.
“It’s been fantastic,” he said. “The talent that’s out there on tour is amazing. I couldn’t get over it the first time I played. There were people with one leg and one arm hitting it 260 yards. You wouldn’t see able-bodied people doing that.
“What helps me is probably competing at able-bodied golf all my life and playing with Dundalk and also in Ardee at the start. I knew I had the game and the confidence to succeed in it.
“At club level I’m competing against Caolan Rafferty off plus five and Aaron Grant off plus three so it doesn’t really get better than that.
“When you are going out there on tour, it gives you confidence.”
Excited to head to Australia on November 10, he’s looking forward to his date with the pros in Sydney and that Ryder Cup-style match between Europe and Australia in Melbourne.
“It’s a great buzz,” he said. “If I stuck at able-bodied golf my whole life I’d never get this opportunity, so it is opening massive doors for me.”
With the International Golf Federation backing Disabled Golf, he hopes it will be included in the 2024 Paralympics in France
“I am third in the world, and
I want to be competing in the Paralympics,” said Lawlor, who is keen to put Disabled Golf on the map in Ireland.
“It’s non-existent in Ireland right now. There’s only myself and another disabled golfer, Gareth McNeely competing. But we are working with the GUI to try and set up an Irish Disabled Golfers Association at the moment. The GUI has realised how big it is in other countries and thanks to Pat Finn, they have been able to help out with some funding towards my flights and accommodation costs for Australia, which is fantastic.
“They have also kitted me out in all the Under Armour gear the Irish teams wear, so that was a lovely touch. My dad Billy is caddying for me, and the GUI has arranged for us to join Shane Lowry and Paul Dunne for a meal when they get to the World Cup, so we get to know them before the event, which is fantastic.”
Lawlor is hoping that his increased profile will help him attract a sponsor, which will make it easier for him to compete on the European Disabled Golfers Tour
“My dad has been my main sponsor so far, so that’s my goal,” he said. “It’s a massive opportunity for me, and I can’t wait.”
I’ve played able-bodied golf all my life, and I knew I had the game to succeed