England Golf is delighted to announce that it will break new ground by sending teams to this summer’s European Team Championship for Golfers with a Disability and Nations Cup in Belgium.
The 2022 events will run alongside each other at one venue ensuring that both elite and handicap golfers are given the chance to share the same stage during a prestigious week of competition.
Both championships – taking place under the auspices of the European Golf Association (EGA) and European Disabled Golfers’ Association (EDGA) - will take place from June 9-11 at Koksijde Golf ter Hille Golf Club in Flanders.
This will be the first time that England Golf has supported and managed teams of amateur golfers with a disability in international competition.
Four players will compete for England in the Team Championship over three days. The scoring format is gross stroke play and comprises foursomes, greensomes and singles on consecutive days.
Another four English players - with a handicap index limit of 36 – will challenge for the Nations Cup over three days. The scoring is Stableford format with golfers also competing in foursomes, greensomes and singles where nett scores will count.
Although professional golfers may be selected for these events, England Golf will pick eight players from the top of the amateur game. Both male and female golfers are eligible for selection.
Squads will be named following the latest update to the world rankings on 25 April.
The top four English players from the World Rankings for Golfers with a Disability will be selected for the Team Championship.
The leading four English competitors from the nett section of the same ranking system will earn their places in the Nations Cup squad.
England Golf is currently in the process of recruiting two team managers to help lead the teams onto the European stage.
The announcement follows on from the governing body’s strong commitment to increasing the promotion of disability golf as laid out in the Course Planner strategy 2021-2025.
Within this strategy, England Golf has committed to creating a new player pathway for golfers with a disability in a bid to encourage as many individuals as possible to enjoy the social, competitive and wellbeing benefits of playing the game.
England Golf’s performance director, Nigel Edwards, said: “This is a hugely important and significant step for our performance department and recognition of the growth and rise in popularity of disability golf.
“I look forward to watching the England teams compete on a European stage this summer and know they will be bursting with pride at the prospect of representing their country.”
Jeremy Tomlinson, chief executive officer at England Golf, commented: “The English Open for Golfers with a Disability – staged by England Golf in 2019 and again in 2021 - is now a permanent fixture on our championship calendar.
“We eagerly anticipate another wonderful championship at Carden Park Golf Club in June where Kipp Popert (main image) will have a chance to defend his title.
“The outstanding performance of players such as Kipp and George Groves, who reached world number one, in EDGA events around the world has also increased the profile of disability golf in England.
“Encouraging our national teams for golfers with a disability is a hugely positive step on this journey to broaden the appeal of the game and to ensure all players have an equal opportunity to reach their full potential.”
Attached images:
Kipp Popert - the Kent golfer, who has Cerebral Palsy affecting his lower body, won the 2021 English Open for Golfers with a Disability
George Groves - the winner of England Golf's inaugural Disability Open in 2019, who has a paralysed left arm as a result of Erb’s Palsy, is a former world number one.
Aimi Bullock - The Surrey golfer, diagnosed with MS in 2017, won the nett section of the EDGA Women’s Cup in Portugal last year.
Note to editors: About England Golf
We are dedicated to growing the game of golf in England. As one of the country’s largest sport governing bodies, we look after the interests of around 1,800 golf clubs and 647,000 golf club members. Golf is our passion. We develop and nurture the game by:
Promoting golf as an open, welcoming, inclusive and fun sport for everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity or ability
Inspiring new golfers with our innovative campaigns
Encouraging new golfers to value the benefits of club membership
Working with partners to offer business support to clubs
Staging top-class championships and competitions for all ages and abilities
Coaching national squad players to follow in the footsteps of past graduates including Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood, Georgia Hall and Bronte Law.
Contact details:
Iain Macfarlane, Press Officer
Tel: 07703 828938
Email: pr@englandgolf.org