In acknowledgement for its ongoing development activity and delivery of global projects and initiatives related to golf for the disabled, the European Disabled Golf Association has been awarded the Confederation of Professional Golf’s 2021 President’s Award for Golf Development at this year’s CPG Annual Awards supported by Rolex.
EDGA is a volunteer organisation that aims to make the sport more inclusive for players with disability at every level, through the promotion and delivery of opportunities to sample, participate and compete in golf. It also advises and works with major stakeholders in the game including The R&A, The International Golf Federation, The European Tour and The European Golf Association on various issues related to golf for the disabled.
The President’s Award, which recognises outstanding golf development programmes, initiatives and grassroots projects, was presented to EDGA President, Tony Bennett: “To receive this award on behalf of EDGA and the team of volunteers that work so hard for the organisation and for golf for the disabled is humbling. This award vindicates our longstanding work to create change in golf for the disabled, build awareness about it and create pathways to sample, participate and compete in the sport regardless of ability. To be receiving this recognition from a highly respected golf organisation in the CPG is incredible and I offer my thanks to them for this award.”
CPG Chief Executive, Ian Randell, commented: “Just recently at the EDGA Dubai Final, we saw a glimpse of the incredible and far-reaching work that EDGA is involved with around golf for the disabled, as well as getting to hear about the many inspiring stories from the golfers and in turn, the shared support they have for the organisation with the opportunities it has provided them in golf too.”
“Tony and the team of volunteers at EDGA are doing a terrific job to deliver the message of golf being for everybody, particularly in the area of golf for the disabled, so I could not think of a more worthy recipient of the 2021 edition of this award than EDGA.”
Additional to working alongside the DP World Tour to deliver its globally televised events, EDGA has designed and implemented coach education programmes for delivery in rehabilitation centres, hospitals and golf clubs internationally, as well as creating protocols for tournament administration, definitions of impairment and other programmes too. All of these initiatives are available to EDGA members and are designed to grow the number of golfers with disability around the world.