Players from 14 countries cheered and clapped the new champions after the four match play finals in the 2024 RSM European Play-offs for golfers with disability (September 10-12).
In watery late afternoon sunshine at North Hants Golf Club on Thursday, Alexia Girault (France), Tom Doherty (Ireland), Erika Malmberg (Sweden), and Thomas Colombel (France) proudly held their silver trophies aloft after each had exemplified the value of this inclusive but highly competitive G4D (golf for the disabled) tournament.
To secure their hard-fought victories, each of the quartet of winners had battled through three rounds of match play in their respective qualifying categories (Net, Stableford, Women’s and Gross), with 32 European players having qualified for the prestigious event during 2024 via the World Ranking for Golfers with Disability (WR4GD).
The event was in its fourth year and was made possible through the continued support of leading audit, tax and consulting firm RSM UK. This tournament run by EDGA – the acknowledged international authority on G4D – has become an established date in the golf calendar thanks to the vision and desire of RSM to help EDGA ensure greater inclusion and diversity in the game.
Twelve of the 32 attending players at North Hants GC were female, while featured players included amputees, those with neurological, orthopaedic and upper limb differences, visual impairment and intellectual disabilities.
Tom Doherty, who has a walking spinal injury after a serious bicycle accident aged 15, won the Stableford trophy for the second time in four years. Erika Malmberg, who is Autistic, played some sparkling golf to win the Women’s category (first time being held). Similarly, in the first staging of a Gross category, the highly rated Thomas Colombel won his third EDGA tournament of the year (Thomas is also Autistic).
In the most dramatic final of the day, Alexia Girault had to wait until the fifth hole of sudden death to win the Net division on the 23rd hole. When Alexia was 30 she awoke paralysed due to a tumour in the spinal cord; today she has a balance problem, and no sensation under the left knee. Alexia loves golf and is an active volunteer inspiring others into this “magical” game.
Celebrating players, growing awareness
The RSM European Play-off finals are weaved into the RSM UK charity golf event, each invited team being joined by one of the G4D players, enabling the team four-balls to welcome through the finalists and appreciate their skill and focus from tee to green, thus further spreading awareness and celebrating all the qualifying players.
A packed clubhouse of guests then cheered the winners and runners-up. Guest of honour on the day was RSM Golf Ambassador and Ladies European Tour star Alice Hewson who presented the trophies. As a strong supporter of EDGA and an advocate for women’s golf, Alice joined many of the competitors to play together on chosen holes on the day.
Nick Sladden, partner and EDGA advocate at RSM UK, said: “We were absolutely delighted to support EDGA’s Play-off series for a fourth time this week. Throughout our time as lead sponsors, we have been privileged to welcome some incredibly talented G4D players to these finals, who have all earned their places through EDGA events during the year.
“Getting to know these players and their stories, and witnessing first-hand the positive impact that golf can have on people with disabilities, has been wonderful for everyone associated with RSM. Hopefully our continued support will go a long way in inspiring others to take up the game.”
The three-day event was played out in a mix of sunshine, cool breezes and occasional startling downpours, but the players as a group clearly relished the challenge of the highly regarded course at North Hants GC.
Stableford category winner Tom Doherty, from County Kerry, encourages new players into the game supporting Golf Ireland. He said: “It was an honour to represent Killarney Golf Club and Ireland in this excellent international event supported by RSM, and I was really thrilled to win for a second time. I wanted to thank all the players and particularly my fellow finalist Giulia Marabotti [Italy] for sharing a fantastic close match. I have made some great new friends this week.”
Net category winner Alexia Girault, from North Central France, volunteers to help others into golf at Golf Club Agen Bon-Encontre. She said: “Finishing my final on the 23rd hole, playing against my great friend José Bagnarelli [Italy] was like a dream for me. I was also pleased to see more G4D women players on the tee this year. I love golf because it’s magical to see people who think they can’t play sport, then discover that golf is possible.”
Golf improving health and wellbeing
EDGA President Dr Tony Bennett said: “EDGA stages, oversees or badges over 130 international events each year (with Gross, Net and Stableford trophies), and this end of season match play challenge offers a highly inclusive finale with qualification possible for players from the widest range of impairments. Staging this excellent event just wouldn’t be possible without the fantastic support from all the team at RSM, who understand the value that sport can play in making people feel included, and improving the health and wellbeing of those who can be encouraged to take part.”
Tony added: “It’s important to note that RSM don’t just put their name on this tournament and support the day. EDGA grass roots development activities continue internationally through the support of RSM and other partners to provide sampling opportunities for interested people who have a disability, and their family members.
“EDGA-trained RSM staff have volunteered to provide a series of outreach sessions to a new audience of players, some simply putting and chipping and learning the basics of the game. We were privileged this week to welcome RSM volunteers Scott Miller and Conor Rea to North Hants GC, who have both worked brilliantly in Scotland for two years now, inspiring many new people to pick up a club and thrive through golf. Scott and Conor are examples of how volunteering in an area of genuine interest can make a big difference in your life.”
Over the first two days of the tournament, EDGA welcomed a number of people with a disability to sample the game at North Hants GC. Complete newcomers and learner golfers came along to enjoy a session with an appropriately qualified golf professional. These included a woman with multiple sclerosis who had never played before but thought that golf might help her with balance issues, and a former rugby player who had a spinal injury which resulted in him using a wheelchair. He had a first try at swinging a golf club using just one arm instead of two to increase his range of motion and power potential, while both players met and talked golf with G4D players present and EDGA volunteers.
Tony Bennett concluded: “We were only too pleased to share some knowledge and encourage a number of these samplers as they think more about whether golf is a good fit for them. I’d also like to thank all the staff at North Hants GC for their excellent assistance this week, our own great volunteers, referees Peter Fisher and Adrian Turner, and Tournament Director Alessandra Donati who did a wonderful job making her debut in this role.”
FINAL MATCH SCORES
NET CATEGORY
Alexia Girault (France) beat José Bagnarelli (Italy) in play-off, 1-up on 23rd hole
GROSS CATEGORY
Thomas Colombel (France) beat Emmanuel Aubert (France) 4&2
STABLEFORD CATEGORY
Tom Doherty (Ireland) beat Giulia Marabotti (Italy) 2&1
WOMEN’S CATEGORY
Erika Malmberg (Sweden) beat Dianne Conway (Ireland) 4&2