England Golf: First ever English Disability Open Championship announced
England Golf is partnering the charity BALASA to support the first English Disability Open Championship at the Forest of Arden, Warwickshire, from 27-28 August 2016.
BALASA is the charity promoting golf for all disabilities and its secretary, Ian Dixon, commented:
"BALASA are delighted to collaborate with England Golf on the first English Disability Open.
“This partnership, together with Marriott Forest of Arden, aims to deliver a successful and memorable tournament for all."
The championship will be open to all disabled golfers who meet the definitions of impairment as set out in the conditions and who hold a CONGU handicap with competition status.
Golfers, regardless of their impairment, will play in three handicap categories over 36 holes on the Arden Championship Course. Category One and Two golfers will compete in strokeplay events and Category Three golfers will play a stableford competition.
Awards will be made to the winner of each handicap category. Prizes will also be awarded for highest placed junior and female players.
Disability golf video (external site)
Entries have now opened and the form can be downloaded at www.balasa.org/events
Entries will be accepted on a first come, first served basis with a reserve list in operation.
The tournament is the start of a process to develop an event that meets the needs of disabled golfers and which creates as many parallels as possible to the golf competitions already run by England Golf.
Jamie Blair, England Golf’s Disability Manager, said:
“Taking a lead in all areas of our game, including disability golf, has been a key aim within our Raising Our Game strategy. I hope that this event can evolve over time with the work we are doing at a grassroots level to create a bigger field, a junior competition and embrace other partners’ events.
“I would like to thank the BALASA Golf committee for agreeing to partner their event with us, the team at the Forest of Arden and to the other disability golf partners for their input and support in making this event a success.”
