Golfers with a disability are set to enjoy some intense competition and the best in resort golf when they tee it up in two tournaments in Portugal to launch the 2023 EDGA Tour season. Dubbed the ‘Portugal Swing’, the events will consist of the EDGA Amendoeira Open (13-15 January), an RSM Gross Series event, and Amendoeira Masters (17-19 January), both held at the Amendoeira Golf Resort in the Algarve.
Both tournaments have been open to all golfers with a disability who hold a WR4GD or Access player pass, with the EDGA Amendoeira Open to be played out on the challenging O’Connor Jnr. course, and the Masters played on the award-winning Faldo course.
Each two-round event has points to be gained as players seek to climb the World Ranking for Golfers with Disability (WR4GD), and tournament categories include Gross, Net and Stableford. The events are officially approved by the Federação Portuguesa de Golfe, a member of EDGA.
The EDGA research team will be on hand to collect performance data from the players using state of the art golf ball launch monitors together with a research protocol that has been given university ethical approval.
EDGA is a not-for-profit volunteer-led association of the National Golf Federations from 36 countries worldwide. EDGA focuses on boosting awareness of the inclusive nature of golf, developing capacity within the golf industry, and providing opportunities for golfers with a disability throughout the player pathway. In 2023 the EDGA Tour is expected to stage more than 50 tournaments, which will be almost half of all WR4GD approved events, and will visit 20-plus countries welcoming all levels of players across the various impairments spectrum.
EDGA is pleased to return to Amendoeira, the home of the 2021 European Championship for Golfers with Disability, where Juan Postigo and Daphne Van Houten won their respective divisions. Both events are fully subscribed with participants from 13 countries competing.
Tony Bennett, President of EDGA, said: “These two tournaments will create the best possible start for our new EDGA season of events. Amendoeira is a fantastic venue that is truly welcoming, with challenging courses, offering exciting competition and camaraderie in equal measure. We are grateful that the courses, the Federação Portuguesa de Golfe, and the players, are supportive of these tournaments, which will no doubt make them a great success. We are looking forward to some wonderful golf, and opportunities to reignite existing friendships after the winter break.”
