With more than 50 events so far approved for the 2022 season in EDGA member countries, the competitive opportunity for golfers with a disability continues to grow at pace.
The EDGA Tour itself, events in which EDGA is involved in the organisation or delivery of the tournament, is also bigger and better than ever before. More countries, more events, and two innovative new additions for the Tour will open-up even greater opportunities for golfers with a disability who have a recognised Access or WR4GD pass.
The EDGA Tour has already started the new season, with competitive golf in Australia, South Africa and Europe already under way. With 23 events in 12 countries, 2022 will be an exciting year for all of its players. EDGA sees national and local events as the lifeblood of competitive, inclusive golf, giving players with a broad range of impairments the opportunity to compete in world-class competition close to home. The EDGA Tour is open to professionals and amateurs, men and women, young or old, who are pass holders subject to the event organiser’s entry criteria.
Tony Bennett, President of EDGA, commented: “In 2022, EDGA will continue to collaborate with multiple member National Federations to host events. One example of this collaboration is with England Golf. We are to announce four new tournaments that will add to the already established English Open for Golfers with a Disability. The first two of these events will be the Johnny Reay Classic at Stoneleigh Deer Park Golf Club on the 3rd-5th May, followed by the PING Open for Golfers with a Disability at Thonock Park Golf Club on the 13-15th of June. Entries are now open at www.edgagolf.com.”
Jamie Blair, Diversity and Inclusion Manager at England Golf, commented: “It is fantastic to see the number of opportunities for golfers with disability increasing and I am really pleased to see so many of them on the calendar in England in 2022. As the sport grows, England Golf is committed to increasing the accessibility of the game for disabled people with events such as these giving us the chance to extend the reach of the game to ensure golf is for everyone.”
In 2021, EDGA partner RSM, leaders in audit, tax and consulting services, became the title sponsor of the EDGA-RSM European Play-offs for the Net and Stableford divisions, and in 2022 have joined EDGA in the new EDGA Gross Series.
With six tournaments planned for the year, the limited field will have the opportunity to play more demanding course set-ups. These events will prepare players for the recently announced G4D Tour, which is EDGA’s collaboration with the European Tour Group. Each event will have prize funds in line with the Rules of Amateur Status and are open to eligible players, both professional and amateur.
Alongside at least three Gross Series events, there will be separate events for Net and Stableford division players. These events will undoubtedly be helpful for those wishing to get onto, or improve their ranking for, qualification to the European Play-offs.
Kirsty Sandwell, Head of Transactions at RSM UK, commented: “Our collaboration with EDGA is based on shared values around inclusion and diversity. We have seen the EDGA tournament offer grow year by year and supported the founding events of what has now turned into the G4D Tour. Indeed, the tournament offering, with events such as the RSM European Play-offs for Net and Stableford players, launched last year, helps create more playing opportunities. But we greatly value the work EDGA does to reach more individuals with disabilities to help them sample, participate, and compete in golf.”