The Algarve presents a “beautiful setting” for the final tournament of the 2024 EDGA Tour calendar and the tenth EDGA Algarve Open at Pestana Vila Sol, held from November 21-23.
The Algarve Tourism Association and the EDGA launched the event in 2014, this has become a regular feature to complete the EDGA season of ‘G4D’ (golf for the disabled) for golfers with a range of physical, emotional, intellectual and sensory disabilities.
A full field of 74 players from 16 nations will be in attendance for this tournament which is known for providing an exciting challenge but in a welcoming and inclusive environment for all players, especially those who will be attending an international event for the first time.
There are cups in three categories to play for: Gross, Net and Stableford, with golf handicaps from ‘scratch’ (0.0) to 35. The winners of the 2023 championship, Charles-Henri Quélin of France (Gross), Ian Dixon of England (Net) and Liliane Cambré of Belgium (Stableford), will return to defend their titles, and many past winners are in attendance.
This two-round competition had a number of attractive finishes on the attractive courses of Vila Sol (section 72 of the event), unlike last year’s Gross medal, such as Quélin, the Frenchman Thomas Colombel, Mari Berkers from the Netherlands and Sweden. Rasmus Lia were all facing a sudden death play-off after the four-team tie at the top of the leaderboard, with Charles-Henri. Quélin only managed to win the trophy after an extra fourth hole of play.
“Due to the high level of players, the beautiful surroundings and the warm welcome we have always received from the Pestana Vila Sol team, the EDGA Algarve Open has become the most popular tournament for disabled golfers,” said EDGA President Dr. Tony Bennett.
“Vila Sol and the Algarve Tourism Association came forward in 2014 to help create the first EDGA Algarve Open. We only had 30 players, yet the atmosphere was so good that since then we have had a full field of 74 players and a number of reserve players every year. This event has become a great setting that combines competition with a wonderful sense of inclusion. Many of these golfers have helped shape the history of the tournament and have always welcomed and encouraged new players to tackle international events.
“A number of world-class players played their first G4D tournament at the EDGA Algarve Open, so we can honestly say that golf can change the lives of people with disabilities. It’s a game that everyone should watch, from the positioning and trapping, to the long, full game.”
Tony Bennett added: “Vila Sol provides an excellent advertisement for the Algarve for players and their families, while the EDGA golfers put on an excellent demonstration of how people with disabilities can reach their potential in their chosen sport.”
The event is one of more than 120 tournaments that EDGA runs, badges or supports throughout the year. This is the basis of the ‘players way’ which helps people with disabilities to sample the game for the first time, play regularly, and/or seek to compete at all levels, including historic tournaments such as the G4D Open (organized by The R&A in association with the DP World Tour), the -G4D Tour (organized by DP World Tour), European Individual and Team Championships (European Golf Association), and RSM European Play-offs; all supported by EDGA.
At this year’s tournament the EDGA’s leading research into G4D will be further enhanced by recording performance data to further understand how golfers with disabilities maximize their performance; detailed work at this event focused on short game and bunker, with the provision of a short game clinic for players and coaches.
The EDGA is an international not-for-profit organization that works with 50 National Golf Federations from around the world, and provides advice, guidance and standards to golf’s leading bodies, including the IGF, R&A, and EGA.
The staging of the EDGA Algarve Open is also made possible thanks to EDGA sponsors, including the R&A, European Tour Group, RSM, PING, Srixon, and Ottobock.
Find out more: www.edgagolf.com
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