Brendan Lawlor will make history next week as the first disabled golfer to play the European Tour when he tees off in the inaugural ISPS HANDA UK Championship - the final event of the UK Swing - at The Belfry from August 27-30.

Currently ranked fourth in the World Rankings for Golfers with Disability (WR4GD), the 22-year-old Irishman has also now confirmed Carton House as his new home of golf for the next 12 months as he works to prepare and compete at upcoming tournaments all over the world.

Nestled in the heart of 1,100-acres of private parkland in County Kildare, Brendan will have access to two of Ireland’s finest championship golf courses, the classic parkland O’Meara and the inland links Montgomerie, as well as the professional driving range and exceptional leisure and dining facilities of this award-winning club.

Originally from Co. Louth, Brendan, who has a rare condition called Ellis-van Creveld syndrome which is characterised by a shorter stature and shorter limbs, turned professional in September last year having made a huge impact globally on the disabled golfers’ circuit.

Highlights include his win at the 36-hole EDGA Scottish Open in 2019 and he also competed in the ISPS HANDA Disabled Golf Cup, which was played alongside the 2019 Presidents Cup in Melbourne, where twelve of the world’s leading golfers with a disability played the same course and conditions as the stars.

Speaking on Brendan’s arrival at Carton House this week, Jason Totos, Director of Golf at Carton House, said he is delighted that Brendan has chosen the club to prepare for this exciting period in his career.

“We are so pleased that Brendan has selected Carton House as his new home club and we are welcoming him to Maynooth with an honorary membership to help support his preparations. His new place on the European Tour is not only a huge achievement for him personally but it’s also very exciting news for Irish sport and those who love the game of golf. We look forward to supporting Brendan in whatever way we can and wish him the very best of luck next week at the IPS HANDA UK Championship. He has the full support of everyone at Carton House behind him.”

Brendan and his team are also delighted to have found a new Irish home for his game and the recent support received from Carton House.

“I’m so proud to accept membership at Carton House,” said Brendan. “The whole team and membership at the club have been so supportive of me and have welcomed me with open arms. It’s one of the best facilities in all of Ireland and will no doubt help me tremendously as I continue my journey in the professional ranks.”

Niall Horan, Brendan’s manager and owner of Modest Golf Management echoed his sentiments. “It’s so good to see such an iconic golf club as Carton House welcome Brendan and promote inclusivity in golf. I’ve always loved Carton House and cannot wait to get down for a game myself with Brendan soon.” 

Brendan received a tournament invite on behalf of his sponsor and tournament title partner, ISPS HANDA, as they continue to collaborate with the European Tour in raising the profile of golf as an accessible sport for all through their long-term support of global golf initiatives.