G4D players aged 50-and-over from 17 countries will lead the way in growing inclusive participation in golf as they tee it up for the first ever EDGA Senior Open (December 2-4) in Portugal.
Staged by EDGA due to popular demand, a full field of 53 players will be journeying from as far afield as Australia and the USA to play in this G4D (golf for the disabled) tournament with ‘Net’ scoring over the challenging Benamor Golf Course on The Algarve.
While there is no upper age limit for any of EDGA’s 120 run, badged or supported G4D tournaments, this move should only extend the player pathway for golfers of 50-plus who have a range of physical, neurological, intellectual and sensory impairments.
The EDGA Senior Open will welcome both ‘Senior’ players and will also include a ‘Super Seniors’ division for aged 65-and-over; played out on the classic Sir Henry Cotton-designed Benamor Golf Course, amid mountain and sea views close to the ancient city of Tavira.
President of EDGA, Dr Tony Bennett, explained: “EDGA runs or supports many G4D tournaments in the year, competed in by golfers from all around the world, but in creating the EDGA Senior Open we wanted to ensure that our desire for being inclusive also offers a clear pathway for the mature player, whether established or brand new in the game, in a supportive environment.”
A good number of the players will be taking to the fairways for one of their first G4D tournaments, making their debut, or playing in their first or second EDGA season.
Tony Bennett added: “The Net scoring format for this event supports this inclusive philosophy, promoting exciting competition, with perhaps every player feeling they can lift the trophy. Our selection of the beautiful Benamor Golf Course, a real gem in The Algarve, will be a really good test for the players. Meanwhile, everyone can expect to receive a very warm welcome from members and staff at this club, and from our EDGA team, which will be a great way of starting this inaugural tournament.”
Mike Jones of Wales, an EDGA Player Representative and multiple winner of EDGA events, will be playing at Benamor himself.
Mike said: “We are sure this event and others that may follow can encourage a whole raft of new players with a disability who might otherwise feel they are a little old for competition. We are here to say this is not the case at all and it’s brilliant that a ‘Super Seniors’ tournament for the 65s and over can also be part of this tournament.
“Following great feedback from players, we knew there was also a very strong interest from established golfers on the EDGA circuit who wanted to maintain a keen competitive edge, players who enjoy teeing it up regularly against excellent young players, but still wish to test themselves in close competition with their peers on a golf course which celebrates skill as much as power.
“I also believe that many G4D players over 50 love the social element of competitions, embracing the inclusive atmosphere and being able to make friends for life. Entries for this field filled up very quickly, and it’s now up to us senior players to showcase this opportunity for future development.”
EDGA supported events are central to the ‘player pathway’ which helps people with a disability to sample the game for the first time, play regularly, and/or seek to compete at all levels, including landmark tournaments such as The G4D Open (staged by The R&A in partnership with the DP World Tour), the G4D Tour (staged by the DP World Tour), the European Individual and Team Championships (EGA), and the RSM European Play-offs; all supported by EDGA.
EDGA is an international not-for-profit association which works with 50 National Golf Federations from around the world, and provides advice, guidance and standards to leading golfing bodies, including The IGF, The R&A, and The EGA. The staging of the EDGA Senior Open is being made possible once again thanks to supporters of EDGA, including The R&A, European Tour Group, RSM, PING, Srixon, and Ottobock.