This is episode 68 of the EDGA Golfers’ first podcast.
This week we introduce you to the story of Tom Doherty, the new RSM European Stableford Play-Off Champion, we explain why we use the term G4D.
Inclusive golf? “Let’s spread the waves, let’s move those barriers,” says Ireland’s Tom Doherty.
Talking with Tom, it is clear he understands that the camaraderie and togetherness that can be found at an inclusive golf event can create a great sense of community for those taking part.
This man from Killarney – which is a fine tourist town in beautiful Kerry in Ireland’s south, where the locals are much more likely to say, ‘how are you?’ than ‘who are you?’ – is passionate about community. And, just recently, in 2022, after the Covid couple of years, he has begun to find himself on a mission to spread the vibe about how golf can help others, including those with a disability; physically, mentally, and socially. You just need to remove the barriers, he says, and welcome new golfers with some sincerity.
Doherty has seen that Ireland as a nation is taking progressive strides to make the game more inclusive; this year he believes a little personal mission of his own can be perhaps something of a companion piece, on a local level in the Kerry region.
Consistency of terminology is essential if we are not to complicate an already confused market. In the next few minutes, I will explain why we use the terms G4D and GwD.
The appropriate use of language/terminology has shifted several times over the decades as new models of disability have emerged and been delved into by scholars. Within an international context, the use of people-first language is advocated, which in golf terms would translate to ‘golfers with a disability or, more specifically, to terms placing the golfer first when naming the impairment or condition, so for example’ golfer with neurological impairment’. Such language aligns with the so-called third wave of the disability movement and is termed the “self-advocacy wave”.
The first self-advocacy conference in 1974 gave rise to the people-first movement as engineers of this wave aimed to empower the person with a disability by first recognising their individuality rather than their impairment. This understanding guides our belief that the golfer comes first, and we encapsulated this in our January 2014 strap line when we stated ‘EDGA - Golfers First’.
We recognise that the use of person-first language is a step in the right direction, but it is by no means a perfect solution.
The terms’ Disabled Golf’ and ‘Disability golf’ put the emphasis on the disability first. So if we consider the term ‘Disabled Golf’ - both ‘disabled’ and ‘golf’ are nouns. In this structure, the first noun is the focus of attention, modified by the second to provide context.
In reality, everyone forms their own identity. Perhaps this identity is that of a father or mother, husband or wife. Maybe one’s identity is that of a sports player, business owner, teacher, soldier or carer. Perhaps it is as a senior, adult or youth, successful or victim. However, the person identifies, it is their identity. We think that the hierarchy of identity is important.
EDGA was guided by the number of players who state that they do not feel disabled, even though they have an impairment. This understanding indicated that we should use the term G4D for the sector and GwD for the players.
