Golf is acknowledged as an excellent activity for people with Parkinson's Disease as it combines exercise, balance, co-ordination, relaxation and social interaction.

The Irish Parkinson’s Golf Network was set up in 2021 after the participation of nine Irish golfers living with Parkinson's Disease (PD) in the inaugural Sports Parkinsons 4 Nations Tournament in the Belfry in October of that year.

The purpose of the network is to promote social golf amongst Irish people who live with Parkinson's Disease including those who may have given up on golf prior to or shortly after diagnosis or have not played golf before.

The Network’s objective is to create a nationwide community of Parkinson's golfers so that people would be aware of other Parkinson's golfers in their locality, find mutual support amongst fellow golfers and also be in a position to help any newly diagnosed person realise that golf is an excellent form of exercise for those with Parkinson's Disease.

In the past two years the group of nine has successfully expanded nationwide and now has over 50 members from all parts of the island of Ireland enjoying the positive experience of being part of nationwide Parkinson’s Golfing community.

The group now wants to share that positive experience with those outside Ireland and wish to invite Parkinson's golfers from any part of the world to come to Ireland in 2024 and participate in our first ever international open event.

Irish Open Parkinson’s Golf Championship

Irish Parkinson’s Golf Network will be hosting the inaugural Championship for people with Parkinson's Disease on 30 April/ 1 May 2024.

This event aims to:

● to create awareness of golf as an excellent activity for people with Parkinson's Disease as it combines exercise, balance, co-ordination, relaxation and social interaction;

● connect people with Parkinson’s Disease who play golf;

● ensure that Parkinson's golfers at every level can experience a great occasion and enjoy golf at the one of Ireland’s finest parkland courses.

Format: The main prize is for the Singles Stableford 36 Hole score but in addition to the main prize there will be Day Prizes for each day’s 18 holes and many more.

Date: 30th April and May 1st 2024

Venue: Mount Juliet Estate, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland. www.mountjuliet.ie

Mount Juliet Estate was home to the World Golf Championship in 2002 and 2004, the Irish Seniors Open in 1999 and the Irish Open in 1993, 1994, 1995, 2021 and 2022.

Cost: €650 per Parkinson’s competitor.

This includes:

• 2 rounds of golf on championship course

• Golf buggies each day

• 2 nights bed and breakfast for player and partner/carer

• Gala presentation dinner on May 1st for 2 people

This is a not for profit event.

For further details and entry form contact: irishparkinsonsgolfnetwork@gmail.com