Seven NSW players have been selected to be part of the Australian Team for the World Deaf Golf Championships in Ireland from July 24-27th.
Debbie Byrnes, Chantell Greaves, Luke Ellis, Andy Honeysett, Jack McLeod, Robert Bowler and Craig Douglas form part of the largest ever contingent to be sent to the championship which will take place on the Montgomery and O’meara courses at the Carlton House Golf Club in County Kildare.
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“It is the first time we have a complete field of golfers in all three categories (Women, Men and Seniors) at the World Championships and we have an excellent chance of winning individual and teams events,” said Therese Price, secretary of Deaf Golf Australia.
Bonnie Doon representative Jack McLeod, fresh from representing Australia at the recent Malaysian Amateur, will be one of the major threats in the men’s event, having already lifted the crown as a 16-year-old back in 2012. McLeod’s teammate this year, Victorian Jack Bexley, may be his biggest challenger for individual honours after he lifted the title in 2014.
Three Australians have lifted the men's crown over the years, while In the women’s and senior’s divisions, the green and gold has an equally strong record, with Linda Davies picking up a trio of wins in 2004,2006, and 2008, while Tony Klimek won the inaugural senior’s event back in 2002.
The first World Deaf Golf Championship took place in 1995 in England. Since then, the tournament has been held bi-annually across the globe, including the US, South Africa, Sweden Canada, Japan, Scotland and Australia. 2018 is the second time the WDGC has travelled to Ireland.
115 golfers from 19 countries are expected to take part in the event this year.