Home   Sport   Article

Subscribe Now

RSM European Play-off Series at Stratford-on-Avon Golf Club underlines benefit of inclusive golf




CHIEFS at the European Disabled Golf Association (EDGA) say the 2022 RSM European Play-off Series held at Stratford-on-Avon GC proved how the sport can be more inclusive and benefit a wider audience.

Tom Doherty with the stableford trophy. (59763541)
Tom Doherty with the stableford trophy. (59763541)

EDGA players, supporters and volunteers, including helpful Stratford members, joined together to raise awareness of how the sport can encourage more new golfers with a disability to take part, while helping regular golfers to succeed at different levels of competition via a strong player pathway.

In four days of tournament play, golfers from eight nations were welcomed to the event, supported for a second year by audit, tax and consulting firm RSM UK.

Meanwhile RSM staff, trained as volunteers by EDGA earlier in the year, delivered an easy-to-start golf format called ‘EDGA3’ to individuals with a disability. Under the watchful eye of the EDGA development team, RSM volunteers ran their first session, coaching a group of clients from Stratford charity Avon Services.

Here, the newcomers picked up a starter putter and rolled the ball towards unconventional targets to boost their confidence before moving up to more traditional clubs and balls to tackle longer putts into real golf holes, with some excellent results all round.

Daphne van Houten wins the RSM Series. (59763535)
Daphne van Houten wins the RSM Series. (59763535)

PGA professional coach Mark Taylor, head of development for EDGA, also took the group through golf’s fundamentals, as well as answering questions about the golf course around them and the sport itself.

“The simple message is that we can give confidence to people with a disability new to golf, through encouragement, sharing humour, and good interaction between volunteer and new player,” said Taylor.

“This all creates a positive first experience that may lead to more golf in the time ahead.”

Meanwhile, out on the course, 16 EDGA golfers contested the RSM European Play-off Series in net and stableford matchplay championships.

Oliver Hirst-Greenham with EDGA's Tony Bennett, left. (59763537)
Oliver Hirst-Greenham with EDGA's Tony Bennett, left. (59763537)

Defending stableford champion Miroslav Halmo of Slovakia almost repeated his triumph with a runner-up position in this year’s contest. It was Ireland’s Tom Doherty who won on the first extra play-off hole after a series of competitive matches. The Netherlands’ Daphne van Houten secured a final hole victory with a birdie to beat Italy’s Edoardo Biagi in the net final.

The final category of golfers played in the EDGA RSM Gross Series. England’s Oliver Hirst-Greenham, who has congenital hip dysplasia, showed much of his best form to win over two rounds to finish one shot clear of Norfolk’s Bradley Smith – a leg amputee.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More