A full field of 68 golfers with disability competed in the EDGA Algarve Open and Women’s Cup at Pestana Vila Sol, Portugal.
In the latest EDGA event, golfers from 13 countries with a range of physical, intellectual and sensorial impairments, assembled at the 5-star resort in Vilamoura to compete in the two-day championship (November 19-20).
Out on Vila Sol’s challenging but beautiful course, there was some excellent scoring despite at times unseasonal winds. Charles-Henri Quelin of France put together exemplary rounds of 75 and 72, for a +3 total, to win the EDGA Algarve Open Gross title in style, by six shots over England’s Brad Smith and Rasmus Lia of Sweden in third.
In the Net category, Quelin was again the victor, this time two shots clear of Brad Smith and England’s Ian Dixon in third.
The Netherland’s Daphne van Houten was the pre-tournament favourite to win the EDGA Women’s Cup Gross title, which she accomplished by recording solid rounds of 85 and 83. In second place was England’s Aimi Bullock and third was exciting prospect 16-year-old Heather Gilks of England who was competing in her first international EDGA tournament.
In the Net division, Bullock won the title with consistent scoring, finishing six shots clear of Martine Gilks, the Englishwoman just ahead of daughter Heather in third.
A much deserving and heralded winner of the EDGA Algarve Open’s Stableford division was Vladimir Frinta of the Czech Republic, as his fine two-round score of 71 points gave him victory, four points clear of runner-up Philippe Petit of France, with Czech player Pavel Truhlar in third and England’s William Hennessey in fourth.
Men’s title winner Charles-Henri Quelin said: “We would like to thank EDGA, Vila Sol and the local Tourism Board for this special week. We were all very happy to finish the season here in this beautiful place.”
Women’s title winner Daphne van Houten added: “It feels good to come here and win the Algarve Open but most importantly we had a lot of fun. It’s always great to be here and I’ll be along to play next year as well.”
For the full results of the EDGA Algarve Open and Women’s Cup click here