Jana Brabnikova – edga-eagle

Postigo and Jones share the honours in fine Spanish Open wins

Postigo and Jones share the honours in fine Spanish Open wins

Two excellent winners in Juan Postigo (Gross) and Mike Jones (Stableford) savoured deserving victories in the Spanish Open for Disabled Players 2017, held at the Parador de Málaga Golf Resort at the weekend (11-12 September).

The first European Disabled Golf Association (EDGA) event of the season, organised by the Spanish Golf Federation, provided a challenging final round as more than 50 players were welcomed by strong winds as they teed-off on the testing coastal course with its slick greens. Fortunately the rain which had been forecasted stayed away until the final moments as the last match reached the 18th green.

In the Stableford division the overnight leader Enrique Ramirez Belmonte started with his closest competitor Mike Jones from the 10th tee, which was particularly exposed to the brisk wind coming off the sea.

Mike proved too strong on the day with a solid round of 34 points (63 total to Enrique’s 55) but gave great credit to his playing partner’s sportsmanship and camaraderie; with special praise also for his expert caddie and wife, Beth.

Mike said later: “It was an absolute pleasure to play in this event. I was fortunate to play with a great character in Enrique. He sang to me, we encouraged each other and laughed, it was great. I knew I had to start well and luckily I did. I played solid.”

Mike added: “Beth has been phenomenal, the support she gives is brilliant, making sure I have everything I need on the course. I couldn’t have done this without her.”

Other good performers in the Stableford division included Timo Pessi and José Manuel Heras Hernanz, each scoring 53 points, and Patrick Siegwald (51).

In the Gross division Juan Postigo had taken a one-shot lead into Day 2 (after a first round +3, 75), just ahead of Manuel de los Santos and Hassan Chakboub. Starting with a birdie he set the mark for the day, and was never really challenged as he sprinted to a healthy lead.

With six birdies in the round he had the comfort of a few dropped shots on the extremely difficult holes near to the sea and into the wind. The round of 72 was the best score of the week and was worthy of the winner who would prevail by 10 shots over de los Santos. Antonio Llerena Caro, Chakboub, Adem Wahbi and Mathieu Cauneau were all in the chasing pack.

Juan Postigo said later: “There was a lot of wind today. Some holes down near the beach were very tough so 72 feels great. [On the back nine] I made two birdies in a row which was great because I had made two bogeys just before, so maybe that was the key to the result today.”

The scoring of the players will all count towards the Ranking for Golfers with Disability supported by PING which runs throughout the year. Postigo also enjoyed winning the Nett prize, but with a smaller two-stroke margin over four of his competitors who shared the same 147 Nett score.

The next EDGA tournament is the European Challenge for Wheelchair Golfers (24-27 April) in Sitges, Spain.

* See more of the results and more events through the year at www.edgagolf.com

Article by Ben Evans | EDGA Media

EDGA Tournament Series 2017 has “powerful message”

EDGA Tournament Series 2017 has “powerful message”

The European Disabled Golf Association (EDGA) is set to launch its international ‘Tournament Series 2017’, staged for competitive golfers with disabilities.

Nine tournaments have been confirmed so far in Spain, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Scotland, Austria, Portugal and France. Last year the first event was held in April but for 2017 EDGA players tee-off the comprehensive season this weekend with the Spanish Open, held at the Parador de Málaga Golf Resort (February 11-12), organised by Real Federación Española Golf.

With discussions taking place to stage further tournaments in Italy, Finland, Switzerland and Germany, it is hoped that this year’s tournament roster will mirror or exceed the 13 of 2016 as the Series grows (in 2013 there were four tournaments staged), attracting more players from a greater number of countries.

Highlights include the European Team Championship 2017 at Quinta do Lago, Portugal Algarve, in June, which is organised by the European Golf Association (EGA), and, being staged at Fairmont St. Andrews in August, the Scottish Open held at the Home of Golf looks set to be a magnet for players from 20 countries as they seek to improve their places on the Ranking for Golfers with Disability supported by PING. All nine tournaments so far finalised should offer a fantastic sporting occasion for the players taking part.

EDGA President Tony Bennett said: “Every tournament in the schedule is fortunate to have a really good venue for the players and great national support for our golfers who wish to compete at constantly higher levels.

“EDGA is now backed by 20 national golf federations and this is a fantastic reflection of the growing stature of the Tournament Series, the hard work of EDGA staff and volunteers and most importantly, the attitude and camaraderie of all the players who tee it up for these events.”

Supported by The R&A, the European Tour, and European Tour players (notably EDGA Ambassador Lee Westwood), EDGA is looking for Corporate Partners and event sponsors to reflect and facilitate its growth internationally.

Key to its objectives, EDGA has been and continues to work on political alignment in order to influence the Paralympic movement so that elite golfers with a disability are able to take their golf to the very highest international level. EDGA sits on the International Golf Federation (IGF) Golfers with Disability Committee.

Globally respected golf club manufacturer PING became the key supporter behind the Ranking in 2016, while the Algarve Tourist Association became EDGA’s first Corporate Partner in 2015 and this relationship has thrived. Event sponsors recently have included internationally acclaimed golf apparel brand Glenmuir.

Tony Bennett added: “We believe that EDGA’s continued growth and its powerful message regarding Paralympic representation is of genuine interest to prospective partners from the business world. Helping us to grow at this time can be part of a significant and progressive story for the right partners.”

With the slogan ‘Golfers First’, EDGA is an organisation which was set up to help individuals with impairment to start, stay, succeed and enjoy golf and which now provides advice and guidance for organisations on tournaments, training and services to golfers with disability. EDGA welcomes elite and developing players to its tournaments.

For more information on the association visit edgagolf.com and Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/EuropeanDisabledGolfAssociation

Article by Ben Evans | EDGA Media

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

European Disabled Golf Association welcomes Jana Brabnikova

European Disabled Golf Association welcomes Jana Brabnikova

The European Disabled Golf Association (EDGA) is delighted to welcome formally Jana Brabnikova as its new Executive Assistant. Jana, an experienced administrator, will support the Executive Committee at an exciting time of growth for the organisation.

EDGA assists golfers with disability to compete internationally and sees them as ‘Golfers First’. EDGA is supported by the European Tour, The R&A and 20 National Golf Federations, plus several valued partners. Supported by globally respected health and disability experts, the organisation is currently in discussions with the International Golf Federation (IGF) as it seeks to influence the Paralympic bodies so that elite golfers with a disability are able to take their golf to the very highest international level.

Jana Brabnikova joins the EDGA team in a year in which it has successfully expanded the ‘EDGA Tournament Series’ in Europe for competitive players from different categories (12 tournaments this year as opposed to four in 2013) and has created the international ‘Ranking for Golfers with Disability supported by PING’ to help raise competitive standards, encourage the growth of events and promote international networking between players.

EDGA President Tony Bennett said: “EDGA is delighted to welcome Jana to the team and we will value greatly her organisational skills, her experience in disability golf in the Czech Republic and, crucially, her enthusiastic attitude and passion for the work.”

Jana, who lives in the Pilsen region of the Czech Republic (West Bohemia), said: “The whole EDGA movement is at a really exciting time in its support of golfers with disability and I had no hesitation in wanting to help in this aim. After six years of being involved with disability golf in the Czech Republic I was keen to offer my experience and also learn something new at international level. I have very much enjoyed helping EDGA’s members and volunteers, and the whole team and I are looking forward to a great year for the organisation in 2017.”

Jana recently assisted EDGA in its role as Official Charity of the Portugal Masters, won by Padraig Harrington. She also played a key role in organising EDGA’s major event this year in the shape of the EDGA General Assembly, which took place in early December at Pestana Vila Sol Golf Resort, alongside the III EDGA Algarve Open 2016, the last tournament of the season which enjoyed a record number of entries.

EDGA is fortunate that former General Secretary, Manon Cupillard-Eggermont, will remain with the organisation. Manon has performed an excellent job for EDGA over several years and will now focus her attentions on the EDGA Sport Committee as the Tournament Series grows.

* See more on EDGA at www.edgagolf.com and on Facebook at European Disabled Golf Association

Article by Ben Evans | EDGA Media

An inclusive EDGA Annual Assembly celebrates ‘Golfers First’

An inclusive EDGA Annual Assembly celebrates ‘Golfers First’

The European Disabled Golf Association (EDGA) has enjoyed arguably its most successful and progressive year yet in improving opportunities to golfers with disability.

According to the EDGA Executive Committee at the recent 2016 Annual Assembly this is due to the “spirit and goodwill of its players, members and volunteers and the growing support of leading golfing bodies and international companies”.

Staged at the excellent venue of Pestana Vila Sol Golf Resort, on the Algarve at the start of December, delegates attending the largest ever Assembly paid special thanks to those organisations, including 18 national golf federations, The R&A, the European Tour, the Algarve Tourism Association and a lengthening list of commercial companies, who are all paving the way for progress.

A key message is that this is an exciting time to get involved with a body which is extending its collaboration with the game’s world leaders, including The R&A and the International Golf Federation (IGF). Progress in aligning golf for the disabled with the tenets of the Paralympic movement while staying true to golf’s core beliefs is being made, as EDGA members strive to have golf become a Paralympic sport by 2024.

With the Assembly held alongside the final tournament of the year – the III EDGA Algarve Open 2016 – the EDGA Executive Committee heralded all EDGA players who have competed in any of the 12 Tournament Series events as the flag bearers who are proving that ‘Golfers First’ can enjoy, compete and win at ever-higher levels (there were just four such events in 2013).

Along with fellow guests the IGF, the European Golf Association was present to offer valuable insights into how EDGA’s ideals can be supported across the Continent, while two national federations, Golf Australia and the Costa Rica Golf Federation, were warmly welcomed into the EDGA family as Affiliate Members.

Increased numbers of players took part in the EDGA Tournament Series 2016 while there is continued development of the ‘Ranking for Golfers with Disability (R4GD) supported by PING’, thanks to financial backing and advice from this world-famous manufacturing company. Some 267 players from 24 countries are now registered in the Ranking.

Pieter van Duijn, Vice President of EDGA, said: “For many important reasons this is a very exciting time to become involved in EDGA and its goals. We would like to offer a particular thanks to the Algarve Tourism Association for supporting this event and also to the Portuguese Golf Federation for providing the excellent trophies for the players. Internationally respected golf apparel brand Glenmuir has been the Apparel Sponsor for this tournament and we were really delighted with their service.”

Pieter added: “Most of all though, we want to thank the brilliant attitude of the players, their friends and families all through the year. It is a privilege for our committee, staff and volunteers to serve them.”

As for the tournament itself, a torrential night and day of rain cancelled the final round, with the nevertheless deserving winner of the Gross category being Charles-Henri Quélin of France. He hit 16 greens on the way to a first-round 73 which beat his nearest challenger by eight shots. All the results can be found at www.edgagolf.com

During the workshop sessions, PGA Inclusive Golf Tutors Craig Thomas and Mark Taylor delivered a two-day inclusive golf training workshop to 22 Professionals from the PGA of Portugal. The coaches received training, advice and good practice in all facets of inclusive golf coaching to help other golfers in their areas.

The experience at Vila Sol also aimed to provide a definite legacy to encourage new golfers in Portugal – a project supported by the European Tour as EDGA was given Official Charity status at the European Tour’s recent Portugal Masters. At this event, six EDGA players were guests of the European Tour and gave demonstrations on the driving range and putting green together with a group of Portuguese juniors. With TV commentary from Ken Brown this activity created strong profile for EDGA, a real highlight of a great year.

See more on EDGA at edgagolf.com and on Facebook at European Disabled Golf Association

Article by Ben Evans | EDGA Media

EDGA Algarve Open 2016 and EDGA Annual Assembly

Largest EDGA Annual Assembly yet, while record number of players take route 66 in Portugal

A record number of entrants will be teeing it up in the final event of the European Disabled Golf Association calendar, in the III EDGA Algarve Open 2016, which starts on Friday (2 December) at Pestana Vila Sol Golf Resort, Portugal.

Some 66 players from around the world have registered to play in the 12th event of EDGA’s Tournament Series 2016, and trophies in the gross, nett and stableford divisions are up for grabs. The competition is generously supported by the Algarve Tourism Association and the trophies provided by the Portuguese Golf Federation.

The growth in popularity from the 38 players who took part last year, is mirrored in the strength of the annual Tournament Series in 2016, which has also expanded significantly from just four events back in 2013. The final putt of the two-round tournament at Vila Sol will also complete the year’s Ranking for Golfers with Disability (R4GD) supported by PING.

The Tournament Series is just one of a variety of subjects that will be discussed during the most comprehensive EDGA Annual Assembly of recent years, which also takes place this week at Vila Sol, starting Thursday.

Members from 18 of Europe’s national Golf Federations which work with EDGA have been invited to attend, alongside representatives from the International Golf Federation (IGF), the Ryder Cup European Development Trust, the European Golf Association, and supporters of the organisation, PING.

Topics will include the further growth of EDGA as it extends its support of golfers with disability and its collaboration with the game’s world leaders, including The R&A and the IGF. Progress in linking golfers with disability with the Paralympic movement is sure to be a key discussion point, as EDGA members strive to have golf become a Paralympic sport after golf’s success in the 2016 Olympics in Rio.

Delegates will learn more about the planned growth of the EDGA Tournament Series over the next two years, and the work of EDGA’s medical committee in helping to create better definitions of impairment to help golfers with physical and mental disabilities to enjoy greater opportunities to play and compete.

While the delegates are thrashing out these ideas inside, the 66 players will be hoping to take the route to victory over the undulating and challenging Vila Sol course, known for its hidden dangers and notoriously quick greens.

Along with tournament sponsor the Algarve Tourism Association, internationally respected golf apparel brand Glenmuir is the Apparel Sponsor for an event which last year was won by the popular Manuel de Los Santos of the Dominican Republic, after a sudden-death play-off with France’s Mathieu Cauneau. Belgium’s Cedric Lescut, at the top of this year’s R4GD supported by PING, will know that another win by Manuel could steal the Ranking in this last event of 2016.

* See more on EDGA at www.edgagolf.com and on Facebook at European Disabled Golf Association

Article by Ben Evans | EDGA Media

EDGA as Official Charity at the Portugal Masters

EDGA will help young people to try golf thanks to fundraising at Portugal Masters

The European Disabled Golf Association (EDGA) raised €22,500 as the European Tour’s Official Charity of the 2016 Portugal Masters, which finished on Sunday (23rd October).

As the eventual champion Padraig Harrington battled it out with Andy Sullivan and other top players, EDGA enjoyed a unique profile throughout the week at Vilamoura courtesy of the European Tour. The EDGA team and volunteers were able to raise funds during the tournament which will be spent on a groundbreaking project to introduce children with disability to golf.

The project is also supported by the Portuguese Tourism Board, and will effectively start during the EDGA Algarve Open in December at Vila Sol (December 1-3). Here, a group of coaches will be trained to deliver golf to children with disability, enabling them to work across Portugal, visiting rehabilitation centres and disability groups to share the fun of golf with youngsters and their families.

EDGA is in an excellent position to support the expansion of initiatives which promote the development and delivery of golf for individuals with impairment across Europe, working with 18 national golf federations. While its own Tournament Series has grown from four events in 2013 to 12 in 2016 with a truly international feel, EDGA members wish to support all golfers with disability at the grass roots of the game and encourage new players of all ages.

The EDGA President said: “We would like to offer a huge thank you to the European Tour for selecting EDGA as Official Charity for the 2016 Portugal Masters. This opportunity enabled some wonderful volunteers to support us, and a challenge by the Million Dollar Hole-in-One during the Pro-Am helped raise €22,500, which can all be spent directly on introducing youngsters with disability to golf in Portugal.

“The Portuguese Tourism Board, the European Tour, the Algarve Tourism Association and other organisations in this country are helping EDGA to reach more individuals with disability through this project. Our thanks go to all those involved. They will help us to improve sporting choices, social opportunities and confidence levels for children as they enjoy golf. This sport can be a wonderful lifetime activity and should be made available to everyone wherever possible.”

EDGA has been supported in 2016 by The Ryder Cup European Development Trust, The R&A, the European Tour, PING (PING staff player Lee Westwood is also an EDGA Ambassador), Glenmuir and The Algarve Tourism Association.

EDGA will report further on the progress of the pilot project to help youngsters with disability during the EDGA Algarve Open in December.

Article by Ben Evans | EDGA Media

Kammerstad shows class in Kalmar to win Swedish Open

Kammerstad shows class in Kalmar to win Swedish Open

The Swedish Open, a key event in the European Disabled Golf Association (EDGA) calendar, has been hailed as a great success with victory going to home nation player Johan Kammerstad.

Thirty-nine golfers with a disability teed it up at the beautiful venue of Kalmar GolfKlubb, in the south-east of the country next to the Baltic Sea. This is one of 12 EDGA tournaments in 11 European countries this summer. The EDGA Tournament Series is supported by The R&A and the European Tour, and scoring counts towards the Ranking for Golfers with Disability supported by PING.

Johan Kammerstad controlled his golf ball brilliantly to win the Category A Gross event, with rounds of 74 and 75 to become the champion for 2016, winning by 10 shots from second place fellow Swede Joakim Björkman (78, 81).

It was the Category B leaderboard which produced the real drama. Denmark’s Rasmus Lot and Sweden’s Jakob Persson finished level on 161 shots after Lot’s excellent 77 to Persson’s 80 in the second round. The resulting play-off was a thriller; five sudden-death holes before a three-putt from Jakob meant the great Dane Rasmus won the day.

The tight, challenging, tree-lined course was in excellent condition with difficult water features and quick greens testing all the players, who enjoyed spectacular views over to the Kalmar Straight.

Sweden’s Gustav Götstav was victorious in the Category C Nett trophy, with a great total of 145 (71, 74), four shots clear of Frenchman José Bagnarelli (71, 78). Jens Magnusson came third (153) after a final Nett 72.

The Stableford (Category D) was well won by Germany’s Heinz Barnbeck with 27 points in each round to win by six shots. Well played also Denmark’s Hans Mollegaard in second place and the rest of the chasing pack.

This was the first year that golfers with intellectual and neurological disabilities have been involved in the Swedish Open.

EDGA Tournament Observer Craig Thomas noted this was very well received with 10 players, including two female golfers, competing on the course. Sveinbjorn Gudmundsson and Elin Ólafsdottir won their categories to make it a double triumph for Iceland.

Craig Thomas added: “All the players deserve great credit for the way they embraced the challenge at Kalmar, the Swedish Open produced some fantastic performances which will stay long in the memory. Great thanks are due to the referees who did a really good job, all the organisational staff, the Swedish Federation and the whole team at Kalmar GolfKlubb who made us all feel so welcome; they were fabulous.

“Finally, a massive thank you to the brains behind the event, Mattias Cleasson of Handigolf, who did so much for the players to make this tournament very special. We are all grateful to Mattias.”

* Learn more about EDGA on www.edgagolf.com.

Article by Ben Evans | EDGA Media

Scottish Disability Open

England’s Gardiner triumphs in Scottish Disability Open, supported by EDGA, Mike Jones in memorable Stableford win, Dave Standing secures Nett victory

England’s Andy Gardiner is the Scottish Disability Open Golf Champion for 2016 after soaking up the pressure on the challenging Montgomerie course at Kinross Golf Club and responding with back-to-back birdies to pull away from his worthy challengers.

Andy’s ‘Gross’ Strokeplay win was completed on Thursday when he finished with a very solid 82, including birdies on the 11th and 12th holes to move up a gear at the crucial time. This round was founded on great drives along the tree-lined fairways, accurate iron play and holing putts when they were needed most for a three-round total of 252 (81, 89, 82).

His closest competitors for this approved European Disabled Golf Association (EDGA) Access competition were another Englishman, Mick Horsley, and Scotland’s Paul Ellison, who was well supported by the home fans. Horsley’s closing 85 (84, 90, 85) gave him the same 259 total as the consistent Ellison 87, 85, 87 but he would win second place to the Scot’s third on the card play-off.

After his round, Andy Gardiner said: “It was very tough as the scores have shown. Today I got a little tight towards the turn but then I found my game a little bit and had the back-to-back birdies. I felt solid coming in and the others started to make a few mistakes. I thoroughly enjoyed walking up 18… It was an excellent day and I’m chuffed to bits with that.”

It was Gardiner’s first EDGA event of the year and it will boost his position in the Ranking for Golfers with Disability supported by PING, which is open to all golfers with an EDGA pass or an R4GD pass.

James Hourigan of Ireland, who started the day just one behind Gardiner, had to settle for a final round 90 but should be pleased with his efforts, finishing in a tie for 4th with Nett winner Dave Standing and earning third place himself in the Nett category.

It was a good few days for The Netherlands; Tineke Loogman, the leading female player, finished in 6th place after rounds of 96, 89, 96, and two places further back was Hans Vanelven after rounds of 99, 88 and 92. Englishman Darren Grey’s final day 85 moved him up the leaderboard into 7th place with the bonus of being second in the Nett standings, with a final Nett 73.

Competitors from Great Britain, Netherlands, France, USA, Germany and Italy teed-off together on The Montgomery course (par 72, 6,508 yards) and the The Bruce (par 73, 6,231 yards). The parkland courses, close to the beautiful Loch Leven, created a great venue for staging this event.

Winner of the Nett category was Dave Standing and it was well deserved, as he adapted to the Montgomerie course better than anyone, with improving Nett scores of 80, 77 and 74.

Mike Jones of Wales scored an excellent 41 on the adjacent Bruce course to wrestle the Stableford prize away from three Scots – Trevor Crombie, Robert Inness and Jim Thompson, who flew the flag well for the home country. Places 5th to 8th also deserve a mention, as England’s Ian Halliwell and Roger Hurcombe, Italy’s Gregorio Guglielminetti and Germany’s Anka Gahler all fought well to bring the best out of the Welshman.

Mike Jones said of his victory: “Ian, Gregorio and Roger were great company today and I really enjoyed it. The course was fantastic…it bites you big time. The bunkers are in great positions, good greens, tricky putts. It was just a great day today.”

EDGA Tournament Director Robert Moss said: “Well played to all the competitors taking part this week. They all know they have encountered a tough challenge in some wonderful Scottish scenery and everyone has enjoyed it. The organisers from Scottish Disability Golf and the team at Kinross Golf Club have given us the warmest of welcomes and we were very grateful for their support and hospitality.”

Look out on www.sdgp.org.uk and www.edgagolf.com.

Article by Ben Evans | EDGA Media