This weekend the European Disabled Golf Association (EDGA) is to stage a ‘live’ practice run-through before launching its Tournament Series 2015, which will take in 11 tournaments in countries Portugal, France, Spain, Denmark, Czech Republic, Holland, Finland, Sweden, and Italy.
On Saturday (March 28) a ‘final rehearsal’ is being held at Golf Almeerderhout, in Holland, to enable EDGA officials, tournament observers and supporters to carry out checks on event preparation, competition format, scoring and media reporting, before the first of 11 tournaments this year is staged on April 18-20, with the 1st Portugal Open held at the Penina Hotel & Golf Resort.
This year’s Tournament Series is the largest schedule put together by the EDGA, an organisation which was set up to help individuals with impairment to start, stay, succeed and enjoy golf and which now provides advice and guidance for organisations on tournaments, training and services to golfers with disability.
The tournaments, typically three days in length including the practice day, are being held for golfers across nine European countries between April and November, demonstrating how EDGA’s tournament calendar is growing and gaining considerable momentum (in 2013 there were just four tournaments staged).
On Saturday, golfers Monique Kalkman, Jurgen Boon and Cynthia van der Zwet are generously giving their time to be the ‘competitors’ for the trial event, their role beginning from signing in as players right through to giving final interviews following their rounds for EDGAGOLF TV, a TV service which will be available on YouTube, with media reports appearing at www.edgagolf.com.
EDGA’s Tony Bennett said: “Saturday will be very much the final rehearsal and will be a live run-through of how each tournament is likely to be staged this year. The schedule of our events is rapidly growing in size and profile for all involved and this trial will help players, officials, media, sponsors and supporters familiarize themselves with what should be a truly exciting summer to come for golfers with disability.”
Tony added: “Thanks to the tireless work of the dedicated team at EDGA, together with the quality of players, not only as golfers but also as individuals, we have been able to bring a growing awareness of golf for the disabled. Although the tournament schedule obviously takes most of the headlines, we are very active in other areas to introduce individuals with impairment to the game.
“The EDGA is grateful for the support of The R&A and The European Tour, and with all but one of the 17 associations that are members being the National Governing Bodies (amateur golf federations) we feel we are receiving the encouragement and support of many of golf’s most important organisations.”
Companies wishing to find out more about potential sponsorship / partnership opportunities can contact the EDGA at mail@edgagolf.com or info@edgagolf.com
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