Team Ireland golf athletes getting set to compete at this summer’s Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles received a major boost to their preparations at the weekend, with a day at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open hosted by the Rory Foundation at Royal County Down, courtesy of The European Tour. Seven members of the Team Ireland golf team were given a bird’s eye view of the action on the penultimate day of the tournament (Saturday 30th May), and the chance to soak up the atmosphere at Ireland’s most prestigious golf tournament, as The European Tour’s VIP guests.
Jill Connery (aged 29 from Scarva Co. Armagh) and playing partner, Ursula McDonnell (aged 70 from Co. Antrim); Paul Kirrane (aged 29 from Ennis, Co. Clare) and playing partner, Patrick Rutherford (aged 72, from Co. Clare); Rosemary O’Reilly (aged 29 from Co. Meath); Margaret Carr (aged 54 from Calry, Co. Sligo) and Leo O’Brien (aged 19 from Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow) enjoyed an action packed day of golf and star-spotting.
Starting off the day on a high, Special Olympics Global Ambassador, Padraig Harrington took time out to meet the athletes ahead of teeing off, providing valuable tips to the team, who travelled from right across Ireland for a once in a lifetime opportunity to see their heroes in action. Since becoming a Special Olympics Global Ambassador in May 2010, Harrington has generously donated his time and expertise to the Special Olympics movement across the world by conducting golf clinics for athletes and coaches.
And, in the biggest surprise of the day, the athletes were put through their paces by Northern Irish golfing great, Graeme McDowellin a putting competition. Officials from The European Tour had planned the special surprise for the athletes to round off a great day at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open.
Padraig Harrington commented: “I am proud to be associated with Special Olympics – it is a real honour to be able to help to inspire all the athletes to be the best that they can be. The talent, focus and commitment of our Team Ireland golfers is truly inspiring and it was great to meet them at Royal County Down to provide a few tips to help with their preparations ahead of LA2015. I look forward to following their progress at the World Games this summer.
“I would strongly encourage others to support Special Olympics Ireland in what is a very important year for this great movement and its athletes.”
Graeme McDowell said: “It’s fantastic to meet these golfers that will be representing Ireland out in LA this summer – it’s such a special thing to get the chance to represent your country. I probably should get back to my putting practice myself after seeing these athletes in action – perhaps they’ll give me some tips!
“Padraig Harrington is a global ambassador for Special Olympics and it’s great to be able to step in for him today and meet some very special athletes. I wish the golfers and the whole of Team Ireland the best of luck in LA this summer.”
This is a massive year for Special Olympics Ireland, with 88 athletes preparing to travel to Los Angeles to compete as part of Team Ireland at the Special Olympics World Summer Games. Their selection comes after four years of training and competition. The World Games will take place in L.A. from 25th July until 2nd August 2015.
Special Olympics Ireland needs to raise £360,000 (€440,000) to send Team Ireland to the World Games this summer. Companies and businesses across Ireland are being called upon to get behind the Support an Athlete fundraising campaign to help raise the necessary funds.
Shaun Cassidy, Regional Director, Special Olympics Ulster said: “As the world’s eyes were watching Royal County Down this week, it was a privilege for our Team Ireland athletes, including Ulster’s Jill Connery and playing partner, Ursula McDonnell, to be hosted by The European Tour at The Irish Open. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity for our golf athletes and an experience that they will remember forever. The tips they’ve picked up from Padraig Harrington and Graeme McDowell will be so useful for their final World Games preparations in the coming months. Our sincere thanks goes to everyone at The European tour that made this possible.”
Matt English, CEO, Special Olympics Ireland said: “It is fantastic to have the support of The European Tour and we are so thankful to all at The European Tour and also the golfers, particularly Padraig Harrington and Graeme McDowell, for this fantastic opportunity for our athletes. From the moment the athletes arrived, they were treated like the true VIPs that they are; the experience of meeting their golfing heroes is a tremendous boost to their preparations for the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Los Angeles.
“With less than two months until Team Ireland sets off for LA in July, we still have a way to go to reach our target of €440,000/£360,000 and I would encourage as many companies as possible to get behind Team Ireland in the run up to the Games. Full details of our Support an Athlete campaign are available at specialolympics.ie
During their visit to Royal County Down, the Team Ireland golfers got the chance to see some of the tournament’s finest limbering up at their practice session on the range, before getting an opportunity to meet Padraig Harrington and Danish golfer and eventual winner, Søren Kjeldsen. They also enjoyed a tour of the media centre, before a practice putting session and the surprise putting competition with Graeme McDowell.
To round off their day at the Irish Open and to help with the preparations for LA2015, the Team Ireland golfers were presented with a goody bag including Oakley sunglasses, Titleist golf balls & gloves, European Tour and Wilson hats.
Mark Watson, The European Tour added: “It was our pleasure to host these inspiring Special Olympics athletes at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Royal County Down. We hope the experience of meeting Padraig Harrington and Graeme McDowell and the opportunity to see some of the world’s finest golfers in action will be a great boost to them in their preparations for the Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles this summer.”
Help spread the word: Connect with Special Olympics Ireland on @SOIreland & @SO_Ulster or search Facebook for Special Olympics Ireland. Share your support using the hashtags, #TeamIreland #LA2015 & #SupportanAthlete
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