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On the 16th of March EDGA officially announced the second stage of the EDGA Ranking System. The process started in 2014, when discussions with the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) started, and in 2015 we implemented the Ranking for all EDGA events. From the 11th of April the Ranking will be expanded to accept scores from eligible players in Federation approved events.

An email letter went to the members, the National Governing Bodies, which explained the adjustments You can read more about the expansion of the Ranking at this link.

Entries for the Scottish Pan-Disability Open Golf Championship are now open. This EDGA approved Access event, is supported by The Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews and Scottish Golf Limited. The Scottish Open will take place from Tuesday 23rd to Thursday 25th of August and is preceded by the official practice day on Monday 22nd.

This 54 holes event, 18-holes per day, will be played on two courses. Golfers with handicaps of up to 18.4 will play the Montgomerie course, while the Bruce Golf Course, will host the 18.5 and above golfers playing Stableford.

Entry to the Scottish Open is available to both SDGP and EDGA members. Please go to the following link for more details and to find the application form.

We hope to see you there.

Details of the Handi-Golf French Open 2016 have been made available and can be found on the EDGA website at this link.

The event will be played at the beautiful Aa Saint-Ormer Golf Club at Acquin-Westbécourt in France.

After a couple of months of reflection and preparation, the EDGA Eagle has taken back to the skies. Lots has happened since the turn of year, most of which is background work that is anything but exciting, but never the less important.

There are lots of quotes that promote the importance of preparation, one such famous line states, “Time spent in sharpening the axe, may well save time in swinging it” and my personal favourite is, “Preparation is the Mother of Skill”.

We know quite a few players have been hard at work preparing for the season and it has been a pleasure to see a few of them in the Algarve over the winter. Over the next months we will be able to see the fruits of their work and likewise I hope that you will be able to experience and see the results of the EDGA teams efforts to fulfil our three core objectives:

– To raise awareness of golf for the disabled.
– To increase opportunities for individuals with impairment to try and consider golf as a viable sporting option.
– To help golf become a Paralympic sport.

Until next time.

The first event of the 2016 EDGA season is at the Penina Championship course, in the Algarve region of Portugal. We are in the final negotiations with the hotel for package prices, and we expect to be able to publish these in the next week or so.

Official practice for the event is on the 15th April, and the tournament will take place on the 16th and 17th April. Last year the players were full of praise for the course that enjoyed brilliant sunshine and offered a very good test of golf, on a course that has hosted multiple Portuguese Opens on the European Tour. Click here to see a short video of the 2015 event.

Anyone who wishes to send in a pre-entry in for the event may do so by contacting our General Secretary Manon Eggermont, who will make a note of your interest. You can reach Manon at manon.eggermont@hotmail.com

The updated “Modification of the Rules of Golf” for Golfers with Disabilities is now available at this link.

There are several changes to be aware of within the booklet. Also please note that more frequently the Golfer is mentioned before the disability, which is good to see as the EDGA strap line clearly states “Golfers First”.

By Dan Palmer (www.insidethegames.biz)

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has accepted the International Golf Federation (IGF) as its newest member – increasing the possibility of the sport one day being added to the Games’ programme.

As a result of the agreement, the IPC has pledged to extend its support for Para-golf and to help develop the sport over the coming years.

The European Disabled Golf Association (EDGA) signed up former number one player Lee Westwood as an ambassador in July to help with efforts to promote the game.

“I am looking forward to helping EDGA achieve their objectives of encouraging more people with disability to play golf and ultimately to help golf become a Paralympic sport,” said Westwood.

For more on this story click here.

 ©Getty Images

The ALGARVE PRO GOLF TOUR (APGT) have offered EDGA two complimentary entries for each tournament on the 2016 tour. EDGA is keen to encourage golfers of all abilities. By competing with professionals and aspiring amateurs, the players towards the top of the gross Ranking will have the opportunity to test themselves. For more on this story.

The February swing takes in the Palmares and Boavista courses at the west side of the Algarve, while the March swing moves along the coast to the east and visits Quinta da Cima and Castro Marim. For the full schedule click here.

As this is a professional tour, the level of play is high, only those players with a proven performance record and a low single figure handicap will be able to take advantage of these invitations. See previous event scores here.

Anyone who wishes to take part should in the first instance contact Tony Bennett (t.bennett@edgagolf.com) who will provide more information about the terms of the invitation. EDGA has no involvement with the Tour or its management.

After a very successful 2015, EDGA is preparing itself for further growth in the coming year, and we need your help.

You may be aware that EDGA is a not for profit organisation that is run by volunteers. We have a very dedicated team that devotes thousands of hours to help the association reach its objectives. We are now approaching the time where we will need some additional support in the following areas: branding, marketing, social media, film production, fund raising and the delivery of golf awareness programmes. If you have any skills that you think could be of help, are prepared to give some of your time and would like to join our progressive team, or even if you would just like to find out more, then please contact me at t.bennett@edgagolf.com

We wish all our readers a healthy, happy and successful 2016.