Dubbed the ‘Portugal Swing’, the events will consist
of the EDGA Amendoeira Open (13-15 January) 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.”