In 2022 local Roganstown golfer Cian Arthurs spearheaded the push for a golfers with a disability event to take place in Ireland and with the ISPS Handa Irish Open for Golfers with a Disability being hosted at his home club this week, in what is the third running of the championship, the Swords native is looking to play with a new found freedom as two exciting new arrivals in his life have given him a new perspective.
Roganstown’s championship course will once again play host to the event with over forty of the best Irish and international golfers with a disability teeing it up over two days, with the aim of becoming the third player after Bradley Smith and Alan Gaynor (County Sligo) to lift the trophy.
Speaking last week, Arthurs said “delighted again that we were able to manage to get it there for the third year running. It did take a lot trying to get it there first of all, but I think once we got one out of the way it kind of hit the ground running.”
“With the likes of what we had now this year with the West and stuff like that it’s just opened more doors and getting more people to see the quality of golf that some of the disabled guys can bring. That’s what it’s all about, growing the game and I felt personally myself that we needed to push to have something in Ireland and three years ago we got it and it’s been growing ever since. It’s a pleasure to have it in my home course as well. It’s great.”
Round one gets underway at 9.00am on Tuesday morning with a strong field including Brendan Lawlor, Issa Nlareb and defending champion Gaynor set to tee it up.
By his own admission, Arthurs has been a “bag of nerves” in the last two years but those nerves and the pressure with it are not on his mind this time around, as the arrival of twin sons Kobie and Archie just over a month ago are helping bring a new perspective to the 31-year old’s life.
“I haven’t even thought about next week really I’ve been too busy working away with the boys and watching them grow for the last four weeks,” said Arthurs on Thursday.
“It kind of puts it into perspective that there’s other things in life and you shouldn’t be putting pressure on yourself. Sometimes that can be the key to unlock good golf as well just keeping that pressure off yourself and just going out and enjoying it. Here’s hoping that I can do that.”
With a new view on his golf game and confidence in his ball striking, the reigning World One Armed Champion is also hoping that local knowledge will help give him the edge on his competitors this year.
“Roganstown is tough but its straightforward if you can keep it in the right place off the tee you could score well as long as the putter is hot and that’s a big thing now for next week. If I can get a run of the greens, I know them so I should, it’s just about feeling confident in the stroke,” said Arthurs.
“It’s a little bit of an advantage knowing the course so well but then obviously you’ve got that bit of pressure of it being your home course as well and the eyes are on you and you are expected to do it but as I said that pressure, I haven’t felt it this year so maybe that could be the key to posting a couple of good ones.”
Arthurs is looking forward to getting his tournament underway tomorrow morning and knows he will have some strong support behind him all the way.
“I do definitely have a good support from my family, my mam and dad go to everything that I play in and my girlfriend as well she’ll be out there with the buggy for a few holes with the boys as well.”
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