London Golf Club has hailed an incredible few days of golf after some of the leading golfers with a disability descended on the Kent venue to compete for the inaugural London Golf Club G4D Shield.
Held from August 6-8, the EDGA event – the first held at London Golf Club since 2021 – saw a field of 30 golfers from six nations compete over 36 holes on the prestigious International Course.
Following a superb four-under opening round of 68, overnight leader Issa Nlareb’s second round 78 was enough in difficult conditions to finish one shot ahead of runner-up Jack McCrindle, and four strokes clear of the rest of the line-up.
Ben Stimson, director of golf at London Golf Club, said: “It was an honour to host the inaugural London Golf Club G4D shield on our International Course. The event was a humbling experience for the entire team, and we witnessed some magnificent golf from extremely talented individuals.
“It was incredible to spectate and watch how people with disabilities were able to navigate their way through a round of golf with such commitment and determination. Congratulations to Issa Nlareb, and we look forward to welcoming the EDGA Tour back to London Golf Club in 2025.”
The first Cameroonian to ever play in the US Adaptive Open, Nlareb suffered from bacterial meningitis while competing at the Alps Tour’s Ein Bay Open in Egypt. The prognosis led to the amputation of both legs and multiple fingers.
Speaking after victory, Nlareb said: “It was my honour to play in England and this lovely golf course. I like playing this type of course and I thank the London Golf Club team because it is not easy to keep it in this condition. I also want to thank EDGA, the sponsors and my wife Francesca.”
As part of the build-up to the event, the club and EDGA – an organisation which works with 50 national golf federations to deliver opportunities to sample, participate and compete in golf – promoted inclusivity and accessibility for golfers with a disability across the wider Kent region.
Coaching was provided by the EDGA team to London Golf Club’s PGA professional Paul Stuart to ensure that the club is fully educated and skilled around providing lessons to golfers with disabilities, and free golf lessons were made available to local children and adults with a disability.
The EDGA team also worked closely with London Golf Club staff across the golf course and wider facility to help identify all opportunities for improving visitor experience and for reaching new customers across the disability spectrum.
Dr Tony Bennett, President of EDGA, said: “When London Golf Club agreed to host an EDGA Tour event it immediately felt like a good match. The whole team at this innovative and welcoming club has been so easy to work with throughout the planning process, all the way to delivering the London Golf Club G4D Shield.
“We were aiming for 30 players at this first event and we know that many of these golfers who clearly enjoyed their experience will now spread the word on the quality of the course and the warmth of their reception. I anticipate that getting a place in the 2025 event will be much desired by many G4D players.”