Getting ready for the World One-Armed Golf Championships were Co Meath Golf Club officials Gerry O'Reilly, Alice O'Doherty and Donie Mooney with competitior and former world champion Brendan Swan.

World title to be decided at Trim golf club

Published: Wed 8 Jun 2011, 4:58 PM

All is in place for the start of the 74th World One-Armed Golf Championship which takes place at Co Meath Golf Club, Trim from Monday 13th to Friday 17th June with practice for competitors on Saturday and Sunday. Among the Irish competitors expected to feature prominently in the competition is Brendan Swan who will be hoping that history can repeat itself. In 2001 Swan won the title when the competition was held at Headfort Golf Club, Kells and 10 years down the line he will be aiming to make it a double. Swan will be more familiar than most with the challenges the course presents as he is a member of the Co Meath club. Swan is the only Meath golfer taking part in the event. The World One-Armed championships have been hosted in some of the most famous golf courses in the world and among the distinguished list is Lytham St Anne's, Carnoustie and Killarney. The competition will involve 60 competitors from a variety of countries including Sweden, Australia, South Africa, Indonesia, Bermuda, USA, France, Scotland, England and Wales. The format for the competition is a 36-hole strokeplay with the top 16 gross scores qualifying for matchplay. Swan has encouraged spectators to come out and avail of the opportunity to see some top class golfers perform. "The ordinary members of the public should make sure they get along to Trim to watch some of the action, there will be some very good golf played, it will be a good week," commented Swan at the launch of the event. Irish golfers have played in the World One-Armed Golf Championship since the 1940s when Jerry Buckley from Bray twice won the title, the first Irishman to do so. The tournament is staged with the full support of the Golfing Union of Ireland while this year the charity SOFT Ireland, the support organisation for Trisomy, will be associated with the tournament. The event will also provide a welcome boost to the local economy. "There's a lot more to the week than just winning the title, there is a social aspect, there will be entertainment every night in the clubhouse and there will be a lot of visitors to the area," added Swan. "Everything is in place for this unique competition, it's amazing to watch," added Event Secretary Mary Fahy. Practice on Saturday and Sunday will feature a match against the host club. On Monday and Tuesday everyone plays off scratch with the top 16 going through to the knock-out stages. Within that competition there are also handicap prizes. A Stableford competition follows on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday for non- qualifiers while the top 16 qualifiers compete for the World Open title.