Team EDGA

With a focus on development of the full participation pathway, Christian developed the world first Australian All Abilities Championship and is passionate in transfering skills and assisting National Federations in developing and operationalising inclusive strategy. 

Christian is also a member of the central EDGA eligibility team.

View the EDGA profile for Christian Hamilton

 

TPI  certified level 1 - 2014 Amsterdam

TPI certified medical level 2 - 2016 online course

Member of Medical commission Golfvlaanderen.

He completed his subspecialty training in Electrodiagnostic Medicine in 2003 and  further subspecialty training in Sport and Exercise Medicine obtaining the Canadian Academy of Sports Medicine diploma in 2004.  He teaches medical students and residents daily during clinical time at GF Strong rehabilitation hospital. His special areas of interest include spasticity, peripheral nerve trauma and injury, EMG, transplant rehabilitation and sports medicine.  He is involved in research in the areas of peripheral nerve injury, spasticity, and sport and exercise medicine. 

Dr. O’Connor was Canada’s Chief Medical Officer for the 2014 Paralympics in Sochi and a team physician for the alpine team for the 2010 in Vancouver and Whistler.   He was the Medical Representative for Paralympics 2010 and a VANOC Steering Committee Board member. He was the Editor and the Canadian Academy of Sports Medicine’s Athletes with Disabilities Handbook. He volunteers his time at sport medicine venues covering the 2007 Canada Winter Games, World Bocci Championship, 2006 Vancouver International Wheelchair Rugby Championship, 2006 Torino Winter Paralympic Games as an observer.  He was the Director of Continuing Professional Development for the Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of British Columbia from 2004 – 2010.

Current research areas include: Spasticity, nerve injury and nerve transfers, shoulder injuries in youth softball pitchers and suprascapular nerve injuries in chronic rotator cuff tears. 

Outside of work he is the proud father of 3 and strives to be a good dad, husband and  friend.

He is an Associate Professor in the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry at Western, in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. He is the medical director of the musculoskeletal rehabilitation program at Parkwood Hospital, Director of the Electrodiagnostic laboratory, consultant physiatrist with the Hand and Upper Limb Centre, and Co-director of the Peripheral Nerve Clinic.

Tom is a past President of the Canadian Association of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. (CAPMR) and the current chair of the Canadian Research and Development Foundation (CPRDF). He is an examiner and the past chief examiner for the Canadian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology (CSCN), an Associate scientist at Lawson Health Research Institute, and the current co-chair of the Canadian Resident Education Program in Spasticity and the Canadian Spasticity Group (CSG).

Tom is an avid golfer with a passion for the game and its history. He continues to be surprised at what the game teaches us about ourselves and others. In the context of life and particularily those with a disability it is important to reflect on the words of Michelangelo who stated "the greater danger for most lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short but in setting our aim too low and achieving our mark".

 

 

Training as a orthopaedics shoe technologist
Training as a specialist in orthopedics and traumatology 
Teacher in vocational school for physiotherapists
Medical care provider at many national and international Tournaments (Solheim Cup, St. Leon Rot, Germany)
Worker for Golf youth and top sports at Rheinland-Pfalz/Saarland Golf Association in Germany
Instant Change Certified Master

   

I have been a EDGA Asessor since 2014.

From 2009-2011 I was physio for Gentofte Hockey girls team, the played in the European Cup.

At the moment I am studying Biomechanical CranioSacral Therapi at KSTInstituttet.dk to expand my treaments with soft techniques to help the body to heal.

I have played golf since 1983 and in 1989 I started playing for my club team that played in the best league i Denmark. With my team I have won gold, silver and bronze medals and learned how to be a teamplayer, how to play in tournaments and how the mental and physical game is impotant to stay focus.

 

. Licenciado en Medicina y Cirugía, por la Universidad Autónoma de Madrid en 1.976.
. Especialista en Medicina del Trabajo.
. Concesión del Diploma de Medicina Aeronáutica Básica, por orden ministerial nº: 1463/78, en el Centro de Investigación de Medicina Aerospacial, en 1.978.
. Concesión del Diploma Superior de Medicina Aerospacial, por orden ministerial nº: 522/02867/81, en el Centro de investigación de Medicina Aerospacial, en Noviembre de 1.981.
. Curso de Médico Examinador Aéreo, según disposiciones al Convenio de O.A.C.I. ( Organización de Aviación Civil Internacional),  en Agosto de 1.985.
. Concesión del título de Médico de Vuelo, por el Departamento de la Fuerza Área de los Estados Unidos ( Escuela de Medicina Aerospacial de la Fuerza Aérea de los Estados Unidos de América. Base Aérea de Brooks. San Antonio, Texas.), de acuerdo a la Regulación 60-13 ( Air Force Regulation. United States Air Force Flight Surgeon Wings).
. Aerospace Medicine Primary Course ( B30BY9351 000, PDS CODE WSU) otorgado por la Escuela de Medicina Aeroespacial de la Fuerza Aérea de los Estados Unidos.
. Curso de Supervivencia del Statement of Field Survival Training, del Departamento de la Fuerza Área de los Estados Unidos, Escuela de Medicina Aeroespacial de Brooks. San Antonio, Texas.
. Certificado de Vuelo  ( Air Training Command, 559 FTS, Base Aérea de Randolph  de la Fuerza Aérea de los Estados Unidos, Texas ), en el Avión T-37B, de Entrenamiento Básico de Caza y Ataque.
. Certificado de Entrenamiento Fisiológico de la Escuela de Medicina Aeroespacial de la Fuerza Área de los Estados Unidos, Brooks A.F.B., San Antonio, Texas.
. Certificado de la Fuerza Área de los Estados Unidos otorgando el nivel de conocimiento y comprensión del inglés (88) del E.C.L.
. Concesión del Diploma del Primer Curso - Seminario sobre Investigación de Accidentes de Aviación, otorgado por el Instituto Iberoamericano de Derecho Aeronáutico y del Espacio y de la Aviación Comercial, el 27 de Noviembre de 1.981.

Cronología Profesional:

. Ingreso en el Cuerpo de Sanidad del Ejército del Aire, por oposición en 1.977.
. Ingreso en el C.I.M.A. ( Centro de Investigación de Medicina Aeroespacial), en Octubre de 1.979
. Toma de posesión en el Instituto Nacional de Previsión, en Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, de la plaza de Médico del Servicio de Urgencias, en Diciembre de 1.978. ( Interino).
. Toma de posesión en el Instituto Nacional de Previsión, en Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, de la plaza de Médico del Servicio de Urgencias, por Concurso-Oposición, con carácter de propietario, en Mayo de 1.979.
. Toma de posesión, en el Instituto Nacional de la Salud, de la plaza de Medicina General, con carácter definitivo, en Madrid, en Marzo de 1.980.
. Ingreso en la Compañía IBERIA L.A.E. en Abril de 1.992, como Asesor del Director de Operaciones de Vuelo en materia de Medicina Aeroespacial.
. Concesión del Certificado del Ministerio de Sanidad y Consumo por el que se certifica la habilitación para desempeñar las funciones de Médico de Medicina General en el Sistema Nacional de Salud Español, y demás Sistemas Públicos de Seguridad Social de los Estados miembros de las Comunidades Europeas, según el artículo 7.2 de la Directiva 86/457/CEE, de 15 de Septiembre de 1.986 del Consejo de las Comunidades Europeas, y artículo 2 del Real Decreto de 4 de Junio.
. Ingreso en la Clínica Millenium ( SANITAS ), como Jefe del Departamento de Medicina Aeronáutica. Enero de 2.001.
. Traslado al Hospital de La Moraleja (SANITAS), como Jefe de Departamento de Medicina Aeronáutica (Octubre 2.006)
. Toma de posesión como Médico de Atención Primaria en el Centro de Salud de Mirasierra, del Servicio de Salud de la Comunidad de Madrid ( Marzo 2.009)
. Nombramiento como Director del Centro de Salud de Mirasierra del Servicio de Salud de la Comunidad de Madrid. ( Octubre de 2.011 -  Abril 2016 )
. Vocal del Comité Antidopaje de la Real Federación Española de Golf.

. Vocal del Comité de Golf Adaptado de la Real Federación Española de Golf


* Docencia:

. Profesor Graduado en Enseñanza Militar Superior.
. Profesor encargado del Departamento de Medicina Aeronáutica en S.E.N.A.S.A., para los cursos de Piloto Comercial, I.F.R., Transporte, Control de Tránsito Aéreo, y Tripulante de Cabina de Pasajeros.
. Profesor de Medicina Aeronáutica y Actuaciones y Limitaciones Humanas en la Escuela AEROTEC de Pilotos.
. Profesor asociado en la Universidad Complutense de Madrid Escuela de  Ingenieros Agrónomos, para el Curso de Seguridad en Vuelo, para pilotos agrícolas.
. Profesor asociado en la Universidad Complutense de Madrid, en la Escuela de Medicina del Trabajo.
. Profesor del Curso de Investigación de Accidentes e Incidentes Aéreos del Instituto Iberoamericano del Derecho Aeronáutico y de la Aviación Comercial.
. Profesor del Curso de Investigación de Accidentes e Incidentes Aéreos y Seguridad en Vuelo del Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial.
. Profesor del Curso de Seguridad en Vuelo del Cuartel General del Ejército del Aire.
. Profesor agregado a la Escuela Nacional de Sanidad.
. Profesor del Curso de Seguridad en Vuelo, y Actuaciones y Limitaciones Humanas, del Cuerpo Superior de Policía.
. Profesor del Curso de Medicina de Catástrofes, de la Universidad de Valencia, Facultad de Medicina.
. Profesor de Medicina Aeronáutica en Iberia L.A.E. y Aviaco.
. Profesor del Curso sobre Seguridad Aérea y Análisis de Accidentes. Universidad Carlos III. Getafe. Madrid.
. Tutor del Ilustre Colegio de Médicos de Madrid, para reciclaje de profesionales médicos


* Actividades actuales:

. Médico de Familia en el Centro de Salud de Mirasierra (Madrid) de la Comunidad de Madrid, con plaza en propiedad.
. Asesor médico- aeronáutico de la Dirección de Operaciones de Vuelo  del Grupo Iberia L.A.E.
. Decano del Cuerpo Médico de la Organización Iberoamericana de Pilotos.
. Presidente de la Comisión de Medicina y Fisiología Aeronáutica del Real  Aéreo Club de España.
. Delegado de España, en el Comité Permanente de Medicina Aeronáutica, de la Federación Aeronáutica Internacional.
. Representante de E.C.A. ( European Cockpit Association) en el Subcomité Médico de J.A.R.– MED.
. Asesor de la Comisión de Investigación de Accidentes e Incidentes Aéreos, de la Dirección General de Aviación Civil.
. Jefe del Grupo de investigación de Factores Humanos y Medicina Aeronáutica.
. Presidente, Secretario y Vocal de la Comisión Nacional de la Especialidad de Medicina Espacial, como representante del Ministerio de Sanidad y Consumo en la misma, ocupando dichos cargos desde su creación , hasta la actualidad.
. Consejero Científico de la Comisión Científica y de Investigación del Ilustre Colegio de Médicos de Madrid.
. Actividad Docente expresada anteriormente.



* Membresias:

Miembro de la Asociación Española de  Medicina, Ciencias y Técnicas Aeronáuticas y del Espacio. ( Vicepresidente ).
Miembro de la Sociedad Española de Medicina Catastrófica.
Miembro del Instituto Iberoamericano del Derecho Aeronáutico de la Aviación Comercial y del Espacio.
Miembro de Aerospace Medicine Association. ( Membership Comitee).
Miembro de Honor de la Sociedad Mexicana de Medicina Forense, Criminología y Criminalista A.C. México.
Miembro de Honor de la Sociedad Ecuatoriana de Medicina Legal, Núcleo del Guayas. Ecuador. ?
Miembro de la Sociedad Iberoamericana de Medicina Aerospacial.
Miembro Fundador  y Segundo Vocal Titular de la Asociación Latinoamericana de Medicina Legal, Deontología Médica e Iberoamericana de Ciencias Forenses.





* Recompensas y Felicitaciones.

Premio " Vázquez Sagastizábal", por Orden Ministerial nº:
501/03647/89.
Felicitación del Hospital Provincial de Madrid, por la participación en el Simposium Internacional, sobre " Urgencias Médico-quirúrgicas Extrahospitalarias y Continuidad Hospitalaria".
Felicitaciones por diversos motivos, de Ejército del Aire.                               
Felicitación del Departamento Administrativo de Aeronáutica Civil de Colombia. Investigación del accidente aéreo ocurrido en Mejorada del Campo, Madrid, del avión de Avianca.
Felicitación del Centro para el desarrollo Tecnológico Industrial. Ministerio de Industria, Comercio y Turismo de España, por participar en la selección de los primeros astronautas españoles de la Agencia Espacial Europea.
Felicitación del BOARD OF ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION SWEDEN, por los trabajos desarrollados en la investigación del accidente del avión de la compañía Spantax en Málaga.
Concesión de la Cruz del Mérito Aeronáutico, con distintivo blanco, por orden ministerial nº: 723/00114/89.
Felicitación del Centro para el Desarrollo Tecnológico Industrial del Ministerio de Industria, Comercio y Turismo, por la asistencia técnica prestada al Proyecto MAINE sobre Mantenimiento Avanzado de Aeropuertos.

* Publicaciones:

Avión Revue, Jano, Revista de Aeronáutica y Astronáutica, Empuje, Mach 82, Revista de Operaciones de IBERIA L.A.E., Boletín de Seguridad en Vuelo de IBERIA L.A.E., Resúmenes de Congresos etc.
Coautor del libro: " Conceptos Básicos de Medicina y Psicología Aeronáutica para Pilotos ".
Colaborador del libro. “ Manual de Fisiología Aeronáutica “
Coautor del libro sobre : “ Primeras Jornadas Cívico - Militares de Sanidad “, del Ministerio de Sanidad y Consumo.



* Conferencias dictadas en:

Madrid, Sevilla, Santander, San Sebastián, Valencia, Palma de Mallorca, Barcelona, Badajoz...
Lisboa, París, Panamá, San José de Costa Rica, Buenos Aires, Guayaquil, Quito, México, Aguascalientes, Las Vegas, Belgrado, San Salvador...

* Organización de Congresos:

I Jornadas Civico-Militares de Sanidad. 1.985
Jornadas sobre Factores Humanos. 1.989.
Cuarto Centenario de la Publicación del Tratado del Padre Acosta, sobre Medicina Aeronáutica.
Encuentros con la Medicina Aeronáutica. Carácter mensual

Kanta Services
"When we see a patient, for example, due to a knee complaint, they may not necessarily have a completely clear idea of what kind of examinations and treatment they have already received. Perhaps the knee has already been X-rayed on the public healthcare side," explains Markku Varpela, Specialist in Orthopaedics, Surgery and Traumatology at the Aava Medical Centre.

"When the patient’s treatment information is accessible in the Kanta system, we can avoid unnecessary duplication of work. That way, the quality of care improves considerably."

More about Dr Markku at Aava website

 

Intrests in physiotherapy field

• Lower limb rehabilitation and really interested in ACL rehab
• Hamstring injuries (one study coming of soon)
• Tendinopathy injuries
• Lower limb muscle injuries over all + keen to learn more about GH-joint

Golf Experience

• Playing since 1991
• Many junior finnish championship medals (individual/team)
• Two Men’s club team trophy wins in Finland (2001/2009)
• Played two times in European men’s club team trophy (Rome/Istanbul)
• Playing pro 2010-2014 (EPD, Nordic league)

Started playing 1991, became a Finnish PGA member 2010. Played pro golf at the satellite tours in Europe 2010-2014. Got my amateur status back at 2019.

After I ended my playing golf pro carrier (studied alongside), I started working as a physiotherapist 2015. Since then have worked with Esport Honka football team 2015-2019 years managing to get an Europe league qualification spot 2019. At the beginning of the 2020,  I found IF Gnistan football team where I had a possibility to create something new with other team staff. I also work in Aava Orto-lääkärit, where I've been working now for almost four years, mostly with lower limb patient.  I'm glad to have a chance to work with golf and with EDGA players.

Languages:	Finnish (native), Swedish and English
Professional Memberships	1992 – 2004 Finland Medical Association 1999 – Present The Finnish Society of Hand Surgery 1999 – Present The Finnish Orthopaedic Association 1999 – Present The Finnish Society of Surgery

 

 More about Dr Lindfors at Aava website

Was a physiotherapist women's rugby team for 13 years, including 1 in the French team.
Member of the French Association of Golf Physotherapist.
Member of the French Disabled Golf Association (Handigolf France).
Classifier for French Golf Federation (paragolf)

 

Key people: President — Marc Truffaut (France) Executive Director — Nick Parr (UK)
Formerly called: INAS-FID, INAS-FMH
Type of business: Non-profit organisation

I have experience working with a wide range of post-surgical orthopaedic cases, musculoskeletal conditions and sports injuries patients. I worked as a senior physiotherapist in a private clinic in Jakarta where I had the opportunity to work closely with orthopaedic surgeons across Jakarta (Indonesia), Singapore and (Penang) Malaysia.  In addition, I was in charge of the clinical supervisor role where I participated in the delivery of an educational program to the newly recruited and the junior physiotherapists in the clinic. 

  

 

Private practitioner in Siena Tuscany - Italy
Since 2016 - to present Physiotherapist Female and Male Golf National Team and Paralympic

Work Experience

Since 1988 Working as a Private Practitioner
1996 to 2005 professional collaboration with Mr. Mino Damato in Romania for the planning of social and humanitarian interventions in HIV children.
Since April 2002 – to present Adjunct Professor Physiotherapy Degree -University of Siena
Since 2014 to present Head of Physio Team Golf Alps Tour

Education

2007: Master of Science in Healthcare Rehabilitation Professions University of Pisa.

2002: Bachelor in Phisiotherapy University of Siena

1985: Therapist of rehabilitation Diploma University of Milan

Through all of the functions exercised by Professor Tricha, and through his status as Ambassador of the Foundation and Director of its inclusive education program, and given that he meets dozens of young people in disability, we exchange access to education for these young people, from pedagogical and didactic accessibility to the time of inclusive education via the Tamkine Foundation program, and we are getting closer to the lived experience with disabled people whom Professor Tricha accompanies during sports activities dedicated to them, such as handi-golf and underwater archery.

https://youtu.be/tl7sYtxjuMc

 

In 1993 I started as Junior Secretary at an International Bank as a Management Assistant before becoming the International Secretary for the Director of Global affairs. Later on in my career, I become the director of a golf course in Holland. In 2006 I starting to work for Golfers with disability and in 2010 I officially started to work with EDGA. I am native Dutch and also speak English, German and French.

I live in The Netherlands with my husband Frederic Cupillard and we have two gorgeous sons Sébastien (2015) and Maxime (2017). My hobbies include tennis, golf, painting, books and art.

Professor Hans is Dutch, lives in the Netherlands but his work has taken him to hospitals from the USA to the Dutch Antilles over a long and distinguished medical career. Playing golf as a student, he put the sport aside for 30 years before taking it up again with enthusiasm and becoming a decent club player. A teacher and mentor of his called Professor Wim Eisma has been a leading figure from the early days of EDGA. “Wim was my tutor for 20 years,” explains Hans. “In 2010 he contacted me and said, ‘do you know someone who likes golf and is interested in getting involved with EDGA?’ And I said, ‘Well… maybe… I am!’ ”

I work with neurological patients (TBI, SCI, stroke...), amputations, orthopedic problems.  We also rehabilitate military personnel who were injured or wounded during the war.  When working with patients, I always look into their future.  The EDGA organization provides great opportunities for the socialization of our patients.

In 2012 Mark became a PGA Tutor and a further recent appointment as a Golf Development Professional followed for the R&A ‘Working for Golf’ program delivering coach education programmes in Argentina, Egypt, India, Greece and Lebanon to name just a few.  Mark has trained hundreds of Golf Professionals through the PGA Inclusive Golf Programme in how to introduce coaching to golfers with disabilities into their everyday practice, making their clubs inclusive hubs within the community. Mark continues to coach at his indoor studio in Cheshire and retains a keen passion for coaching.

Since September 2017 Mark has been appointed Development Director for EDGA, responsible for developing golf provision for golfers with disabilities across 26 international member countries. Mark now heads the development team supporting member federations with resources and volunteer and coach education.

Assisting clubs and PGA Professionals on the understanding and importance of making golf central to the community. Mark is responsible for the content and construction of all coach education resources covering both virtual and physical visits to develop the player pathway for people with disabilities.

 

He recently retired as Chief Medical Officer of the PGA European Tour and was responsible for their worldwide operation, their advisory board and their research program. He is a member of the Medical Commission of the International Golf Federation (IGF).

Roger's main clinical interest is in the role of exercise and, more recently, the role of “sport” in health and has published widely on the role of golf in health. He has campaigned strongly for a team based “medical” approach to musculoskeletal problems and promotes the benefits of exercise and the risks of inactivity. He views golf as an ideal sport for those with a wide range of impairments which has led to his interest in helping to develop golf in this area.

Research Interests Stroke Rehabilitation Walking after stroke Fitness training and exercise after stroke Hemiplegic shoulder pain	Expertise Quantitative rehabilitation research Patient recruitment Practical physiotherapy interventions
Research background/discipline Physiotherapy Stroke	Other information ACPIN Scotland Stroke Association NMAHP Consultants

Peter is the Head of Visual Function and Physiology Research group at the Anglia Ruskin University (ARU). His areas of expertise include refractive error development, vision and reading, vision in sports, physical activity and its effect on physical and mental wellbeing and visual function in specialist populations.

Background
Peter is the Professor of Optometry and Visual Science. In his research Peter collaborates with colleagues in the UK and in Australia, The Netherlands, US and Germany. He is an assessor and examiner for the College of Optometrists.

In 2013 Peter was awarded the Neil Charman Medal, one of the most prestigious awards in optical research, in recognition of his work on visual stress and the link between reading difficulties and perceptual distortion.

More about Professor Allen at ARU webpage

Dr Jayabalan's clinical practice focuses on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of sports injuries in people of all ages. He also has specific clinical and research interests in degenerative joint diseases of the older athlete such as knee osteoarthritis and the optimization of physical activity in individuals with disabilities.

As a clinician-researcher, Dr Jayabalan takes clinical problems he sees in his patients and aims to find innovative solutions for them in the research lab. His research uses biomarker analyses (from urine and/or blood) to develop efficacious exercise regimens for people with musculoskeletal injury or disease. This fits into the future concept of individualized and personalized medicine, using someone's biological profile to find an appropriate exercise program for them. He has multiple ongoing National Institutes of Health (NIH) and non-NIH funded research projects with the ultimate goal of optimizing the performance, function and recovery of patients with musculoskeletal disease.

More about Dr Jayabalan at Shirley Ryan Abilitylab

The Shirley Ryan Abilitylab claims to be the first-ever “translational” research hospital where clinicians, scientists, innovators and technologists work together in the same space, applying research in real time to physical medicine and rehabilitation.

PUBLICATIONS AND SCHOLARLY WORK
Midwestern University DHS candidate defense completed: “Effect of Prevention Programs on Lower Extremity Performance in Youth Athletes: A Systematic Review”. October 2016

Revitalize IPTA Abstract Accepted/poster presented “Effect of Prevention Programs on Lower Extremity Performance in Youth Athletes: A Systematic Review”. April 2017

Manuscript accepted, Sports Health: A Multidisciplinary Approach “Effect of Prevention Programs on Lower Extremity Performance in Youth Athletes: A Systematic Review”. April 2019

Dr. Sherrier graduated from the College of Charleston and received his medical degree from the Medical University of South Carolina. He completed his residency in PM&R at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center where he served as chief resident, followed by a Sports Medicine fellowship at McGaw Medical Center at Northwestern University and Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago, IL. During fellowship, he served as a team physician for Northwestern University and has worked with adaptive athletes as a member of the US Soccer Paralympic Medical Team and an EDGA golf eligibility assessor. As a former division 1 collegiate athlete, Dr. Sherrier understands the importance of making the correct diagnosis and developing a comprehensive treatment plan that maximizes an athlete's ability to compete at their best. He is involved in both the Association for Academic Physiatrists and the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine.

Board Certifications: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Sports Medicine

She practices at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab with 23 years of clinical experience and 17 years as a senior education program manager. She is a member of the US Soccer Federation’s Medical team and works with the United States Men’s Paralympic Soccer team for the last 7 years.  She is a board certified orthopedic clinical specialist and received her Diplomate in Mechanical Diagnosis and Treatment from the McKenzie Institute in 2011. She is a member of APTA and the Orthopedic section, a member of the Specialization Academy of Content Experts for Orthopedic Clinical Specialists in the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties and abstract reviewer for the orthopedic section. Melissa is a Mentor, Board Member and Co-Director of the NU-SRALAB Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Residency Program and teaches in Northwestern University's PTHMS program as an assistant professor. She has co-authored the recent 2015 book “A World of Hurt: A Guide to Classifying Pain” and published the recent article “Validation of a pain mechanism classification system (PMCS) in physical therapy practice”. Currently she is working on researching the outcomes associated with the musculoskeletal pain classification system discussed in clinical practice. Melissa is currently the Associate Director of Education and responsible for AbilityLab curriculum development.  She is practicing clinically with an interest in spine care and treatment of patients with musculoskeletal pain.                      

His journey includes:?

• Working with athletes from amateur to professional

• Developed the sports medicine program for Cherokee County school system

• Five-year clinical study in pediatric sports medicine and continued clinical innovation/discoveries in sports medicine with Dr. Thomas Myers. MD

• Clinical site for several physical therapy programs across the country to include initial location for Emory University's orthopaedic residency program

• Teaches at higher education institutions

She worked for a number of years in a private hospital serving in and out-patient care. Nikki returned to her studies, completing multiple post-graduate courses including OMT1 (2008), dry needling and treatment of the TMJ. It is here that her interest in neck-related injuries sparked, completing her OMT thesis in the study and spinal treatment of Dizziness in Cervicogenic Patients.

A keen long-distance runner herself, having competed in multiple trail and ultra-marathon road events, she enjoys diagnosing and treating runners to return them to the road and trails again.

Nikki enjoys helping others improve their quality of life through exercise and is a stern believer in functional strength training.

Nikki is also the South African Disabled Golf Association’s Eligibility Assessor since 2016. She is involved in the assessment and classification of disabled golfers to classify for World Rankings as per the EDGA (European Disabled Golf Association) guidelines. She was invited as one of two South African delegates to attend the International Eligibility Conference in the UK.

Nikki is her happiest outdoors, on a mountain trail, surrounded by nature. She has a keen interest in photography and design.

Business career: 1979 – 2005: a 26-year international banking career in investment and corporate banking with Citi Bank, JP Morgan and Rabobank International in Amsterdam, Antwerp, Brussels, New York and London.
2005 – today: owner of ‘KOMMA”. KOMMA’s mission is to inspire people how to grow and to develop their own talents and possibilities by better understanding themselves.  

Military: 1976 - 1983: Dutch Military Service at the Military Intelligence Unit of the Dutch Army (trained as an interrogator of Russian soldiers). 2005 - 2016: Re-joined the army (IDEA*, a special unit of the Dutch Army) as a Reserve Officer with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel

Management responsibilities: 2006 – 2010: Manager Operations. 2010 – June 2016: Commander

Other activities: Chairman of the Foundation Golf for people with disability Stichting Golf voor Gehandicapten. The Foundation GVOORG is a non-profit organization and it is our mission to provide rehabilitative golf experiences for people with a physical and/or mental disability in an effort to improve the quality of life for these people.
Member of the Appeal Committee of Vereniging Hermes (= Allumni Society of the ‘ Rotterdamsche Studenten Corps Hermes’)
Director Finance of EDGA

Hobbies include golf, sailing, hiking

He recently retired as Chief Medical Officer of the PGA European Tour and was responsible for their worldwide operation, their advisory board and their research program. He is a member of the Medical Commission of the International Golf Federation (IGF).

Roger's main clinical interest is in the role of exercise and, more recently, the role of “sport” in health and has published widely on the role of golf in health. He has campaigned strongly for a team based “medical” approach to musculoskeletal problems and promotes the benefits of exercise and the risks of inactivity. He views golf as an ideal sport for those with a wide range of impairments which has led to his interest in helping to develop golf in this area.

During 1996 Tony was invited to take on the role of National Coach to the Federation of Portuguese Golf and during his 7 year term was credited for modernising and contributing to the game of golf in Portugal where he received recognition from the former President of the Republic Dr. Jorge Sampaio in the form of a presidential Order of Merit award.

Having emigrated to Portugal and continuing his passion for coaching, in 2002 Tony formed a new business where he went on to develop and run six golf learning centres together with a golf course all based in Portugal. During his coaching career, Tony has personally trained winners on both the European and Ladies European Tour.

Since 2008 Tony has been the Director of Education for the PGAs of Europe and all matters relating to professional education, golf development, coaching standards and membership come across his desk

As a former post graduate (MPhil) of Birmingham University (UK), Tony brings a wealth of knowledge to the development of innovative and far reaching golf related projects around the World. Working and collaborating with many of the world’s leading golfing organisations, Tony has also been involved in several European Commission golf related initiatives.

Having been commissioned in 2013 to write a strategy for the then Executive Committee of EDGA, Tony was then asked to become President of the association. Since taking on the role, Tony and his wife Sue have volunteered many hours to EDGA. Tony has been able to use his deep knowledge of the game, and the industry to adjust the associations trajectory and to develop several initiatives which have both a long reach and lasting legacy. In early 2014 Tony initiated the R4GD ranking system for golfers with disabilities which is now recognised as a world standard and used by countries across the world to rank players

In late 2017, Tony also initiated EDGA Profiles. The EDGA Profile stories are being shared far across the globe and are giving hope and inspiration not only to individuals with disability, but also to anyone wanting a boost of positivity in their lives.

In 1993 I started as Junior Secretary at an International Bank as a Management Assistant before becoming the International Secretary for the Director of Global affairs. Later on in my career, I become the director of a golf course in Holland. In 2006 I starting to work for Golfers with disability and in 2010 I officially started to work with EDGA. I am native Dutch and also speak English, German and French.

I live in The Netherlands with my husband Frederic Cupillard and we have two gorgeous sons Sébastien (2015) and Maxime (2017). My hobbies include tennis, golf, painting, books and art.

As a lecturer at Solihull College, Kyle was asked to take responsibility for the new A level in Physical Education, as the college was 1 of 17 institutions to pilot this course. The first cohort from the college had a 100% pass rate from the course. Later the college began developing relationships with universities and Kyle worked firstly with the University of Warwick and later with Coventry University to design degree programmes. These programmes enabled students to study sport at Solihull College for their first two years, before going on to complete their degrees with the respective university.

Following the successful design and implementation of these degree programmes, Kyle was invited by the Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC) to develop a suite of Higher National Diploma programmes covering different combinations of sport qualifications, for example Sports Coaching, Sport Science, Sport and Leisure Management etc. These were approved and available for study from 2001.

In 1999, Kyle was appointed as Training Manager at The Professional Golfers' Association (PGA) to modernise their training programme. Appointed Director of Education in 2002, Kyle used his previous experience of working with universities to revolutionise golf education. A full time BA in Applied Golf Management Studies was introduced with the University of Birmingham in 2004 and this was followed by a three year part time online course with the same university leading to a Foundation Degree in Golf. Both of these qualifications were delivered from the International Training Academy at the Belfry and led to PGA Professional Status. These opportunities were later replicated in Scotland, in partnership with the University of the Highlands and Islands.

The British Government decided in the early part of the 21st Century to introduce UK Coaching Certificate and required sports to update their coaching to meet the new standards. Kyle was appointed the lead for golf and joined colleagues from other sports to develop these new standards and to introduce a new five level coaching programme for golf. Kyle also then worked with the International Council for Coach Education (ICCE) to produce a five level international standard for coaching.

When golf was re-admitted to the Olympic family after the 2012 Games, the IOC had identified that golf, unlike other Olympic sports, did not have an international framework for golf coaching. Instead, each country, usually through their national PGA or Federation, had their own structure and content. The IOC considered this to be a barrier to the growth of the sport  and so challenged golf to produce an international framework for golf coaching. The International Golf Federation (IGF) asked Kyle to lead a team of experts from different countries, USA, Australia, Canada, Germany, Sweden, Holland and Japan. Following a number of meetings around the world, this project was completed and The International Golf Coaching Framework, endorsed by both the ICCE and Olympic Solidarity was published in 2016.

Kyle retired from the PGA at the end of 2017 and has since been working as a consultant with the IGF and the Confederation of Professional Golf (CPG).  More recently he has been working as a volunteer with EDGA. This has been to assist them with the development of their coach education programmes, equipping qualified coaches with the skills and understanding to enable them to coach not just golfers with disabilities, but also the many golfers with less serious physical limitations and enable them to play better golf and for longer.

I am now a Level 3 Referee, sit on the National Handicap and Course Rating Committee, am Chief Course Rater for Portugal and Handicap and Rules Secretary for my local club.

I have refereed at national Portuguese events, EGA events, European Tour, Challenge Tour, and Seniors Staysure Tour.

I have been a referee at EDGA events in Portugal for a number of years and in 2020 I was invited to sit on the EDGA Competitions Committee as the Rules Secretary.

I am fully involved in ensuring that EDGA events comply with all Golf Rules including the Modified Rules for Disabled Players. I have a good working relationship with the R&A, and I am constantly looking at ways to improve the Modified Rules for the benefit of all Disabled Golfers.

In my spare time I play golf as often as I can and follow football, rugby union, and cricket.

Previously, I worked as a golf professional at Mendip Spring Golf Club for 25 years.  During this time I was also the Head Tournament Director for the PGAs of Europe as well as serving on the PGA of GB&I's Rules Panel refereeing at PGA National tournaments, Europro Tour, LET, Challenge Tour, Seniors Tour and the European Tour. The highlight was representing the PGA on the Rules Committee for the 2015 US PGA Championship at Whistling Straits.

My hobbies still include playing golf, riding my motorbike, watching motorsports, football, badminton, reading and walking the dog.