Brendan Lawlor hopes that his inaugural Irish G4D Invitational which will have a first ever prize fund for disabled golfers can prompt the DP World Tour to bring in prize purses for future G4D events.
On Monday at Carton House, eighteen of the world’s best disability golfers will tee it up in a celebrity pro-am and play for a fund of €35,000 in what will be a historic day for disability golf and it has all been organised by Lawlor.
“It’s a ground breaking event for people with disabilities. Prize fund aside, to have the best golfers in the world in one field and to have them come and support me as well it’s a great thing,” said the Carton House golfer.
“I hope the DP World Tour see that it can happen. The guys deserve to make money from the game, some say they work harder than the professionals because of their limitations and it is important to get rewarded for their good play and being good ambassadors for the game.
“I hope there is a roll on effect and we can set up a run of events outside of this, that would be huge.”
The G4D events on the DP World Tour have been a roaring success since launching in 2022 culminating in a major championship at the G4D Open which Lawlor won in its inaugural year.
Disability golf has grown in the United States with the US Adaptive Open at Pinehurst and the G4D Tour @CJ Cup, yet the players are still not being paid for their efforts which is something Lawlor hopes his event will change.
“We are doing the G4D events the last four or five years and we wanted to show organisations that just because we have disabilities doesn’t mean we can’t earn money from the game of golf,” explained Lawlor who has ellis van creveld syndrome.
“It’s something that the game of golf needs to change. Sometimes the players feel undervalued, the dedication they put into golf and I thought they needed to be rewarded, guys that put so much time into this game there are guys who could have been invited ahead of them but they deserved the respect for what they’ve brought to the game.
“I started this eight months ago, sat down with Golf Ireland and had a great meeting with Neil Manchip and told him my vision. The players were instantly on board and then we added the celebrity pro-am. I couldn’t get over the support from the celebs because they have heavy schedules and for them to give up their day means a lot.”
Lawlor would dearly love to win his home event on Monday and get one over on Kipp Popert after a season where the serial winner has had the Indian sign over the Louth man.
However, should he not come away with the trophy he will be delighted to see every player come away with prize money with the €35,000 being spread out from top to bottom including a €7,000 first prize.
“Winning would be incredible but it’s not the first thing on my agenda. Everyone who plays will make money and come away with something. That was more important than loading up the top prizes.
“The winner will be really happy with their cheque but if you come fifth or sixth you will be really happy as well. The message is about showing organisations that it can be done rather than the value of the money we are playing for.”
134-cap former Irish international goalkeeper Shay Given will be one of the standout celebrities at the event alongside Conor Moore (Conor Sketches), Daniel O’Carroll, Aidan O’Shea, Conor McManus, Henry Shefflin and Rory’s Stories while Armagh’s All-Ireland winning side will be well represented in Kieran Donaghy, Jason Duffy, Rian O’Neill and Jarlath Og Burns.
Conor Glass, Joe Canning, Daniel Davey, Owen Cardiff, Brian Ormond, Ray Connellan and Jim Flano complete the all-star lineup.
The one day event gets underway at 10am with a shotgun start for the 18 teams.