Crowds at the Algarve’s showcase Portugal Masters tournament this week (October 20-23) are viewing some of Europe’s finest professional golfers in action and they are now set to witness a feast of disability golf on Saturday.
Following the recent announcement that the European Disabled Golf Association (EDGA) has become the event’s Official Charity, a special programme of activities has been laid on, including hour-long demonstration and clinic sessions by elite disabled golfers on the practice range and putting greens on Saturday afternoon.
These sessions will be followed by six specially-invited elite disabled players – and two local junior golfers – forming two fourballs to play the 18th hole at the Oceânico Victoria course immediately following the final professional group of the day. Among the six, is famed leg amputee Manuel de los Santos from The Dominican Republic, who plays off a handicap of four.
The funds raised during the Portugal Masters will allow EDGA to run pilot projects in Portugal with the aim of making golf more accessible for all. This will include coaches receiving training on teaching golf to children with disabilities, allowing them to work across Portugal and visit rehabilitation centres and disability associations to introduce golf to youngsters.
Both the Algarve and the Portuguese Tourism Board are delighted that disability golf will be showcased in such a prominent way during the hosting of Portugal’s most prestigious professional golf event.
A spokesperson said: “These people are amazing, and we are sure the crowds this weekend will be hugely impressed with the quality of golf and the challenges they have overcome. It backs up our ethos of our ‘golf4all’ project, which strives to make the game more accessible to all.
“A warm thank you to all your donations and we very much look forward to seeing everyone at the Portugal Masters.”
Algarve, ‘Europe’s number 1 Golf Destination’ www.visitgolfalgarve.com
European Disabled Golf Association www.edgagolf.com