Walker Cup

Walker Cup contender Nolan savours golf for health

The R&A

07 Jun 23

3 mins

Liam Nolan boosted his Walker Cup hopes with his recent victory in the Brabazon Trophy as the Irishman continues to reap the benefits of golf for his health condition.

The 23-year-old defeated Zach Little in a thrilling three-hole play-off to win the prestigious English title at the end of May, showing nerves of steel to triumph. Nolan, who plays out of Galway Golf Club in the west of Ireland and suffers from Type 1 diabetes, became the first Irishman to win the competition since Cormac Sharvin at Notts (Hollinwell) back in 2015. The victory aided Nolan’s Walker Cup goal given he is aiming for selection to Stuart Wilson’s team for the contest with the United States of America in St Andrews over the first weekend in September.

“I think the course will suit us for the Walker Cup and having the local knowledge of where to be. There are definitely plenty of spots on the Old Course you don’t want to be. Having that awareness among us as players is definitely an advantage.”

Liam Nolan

Ireland

Walker Cup hopes

Nolan was part of a Great Britain and Ireland group that practiced on the Old Course in March and said, “It was a great honour to be put on the squad. I’m just enjoying my golf this year and trying my best in every tournament and see where that leaves me. This is my first taste of really trying to make the team and I’m going to enjoy it and relish the opportunity of trying to play in the Walker Cup.” With another training session in St Andrews this week to coincide with the Links Trophy as GB&I continue to prepare for the contest that will mark 100 years since it was first played at the home of golf, Nolan is excited. He added, “I played the St Andrews Links Trophy last year so that was pretty special with all the grandstands up for The 150th Open. It was my first time playing in it because of the implications with the pandemic. “I think the course will suit us for the Walker Cup and having the local knowledge of where to be. There are definitely plenty of spots on the Old Course you don’t want to be. Having that awareness among us as players is definitely an advantage.”

Health condition

Nolan, who also won the South American Amateur Championship in Ecuador in January, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when he was only 14 years old and manages his body well to continue to perform at the highest levels of the amateur game. “It was tough initially but no more than any illness you might get and you just learn to live with it,” he said. “Playing golf really helps it, being active constantly really helps your blood sugar levels to be consistent. I live with it, get on with it and enjoying my golf is the main thing. “You need to know how many carbohydrates you are eating, exactly how many grams, and how much insulin you have to take. You’ve just got to know your own body, be careful in what you are eating and how you monitor it. “There were quite a few limitations at the start, initially, after getting the diagnosis. But once you get to know your own body you get more comfortable.” Nolan believes the benefits of golf for health, both physically and mentally, continue to make a difference to him as he manages his condition.

Liam Nolan - Ireland

“There is no doubt with golf in particular, getting outside in the fresh air for maybe half a day, it can only reap benefits for your head, health and release the endorphins and get you feeling better about yourself – even in the wind and rain!”

Benefits of golf

“I started off on injections and pricking my finger and that was tough, with a focus to only eat three meals a day, and it wasn’t ideal for golf,” he recalled. “Now with the pump and the blood sugar monitor in the arm I can just scan. It’s much easier and you’re not really limited in any way. “Getting active is the main thing. Golf is good for the head, not only the health, and it really does help with the blood consistently levels for sure. “Keith Egan is a personal trainer, fitness expert in Ireland and he has it as well. Getting little nuggets of information off him has been really helpful. He manages it better than anyone I know and plays golf at the top level as well, so it’s really inspiring talking to him. “The awareness for golf for health has increased. Look at mental health, the awareness of that has grown exponentially over the last ten years, in all aspects, not just to do with sport. There is no doubt with golf in particular, getting outside in the fresh air for maybe half a day, it can only reap benefits for your head, health and release the endorphins and get you feeling better about yourself – even in the wind and rain!” GB&I is aiming to win back the Walker Cup after narrowly losing 14-12 to the USA at Seminole in 2021, when Wilson was also captain. The final ten-man team will be announced in August. More information and tickets for the Walker Cup can be found here.

Walker Cup Squad gather in St Andrews | Gallery | March 2023