England golf represents disability golf in Europe
England Golf has become the representative of English disabled golf on the European body which organises the game.
The governing body is taking over the work previously undertaken by BALASA, the charity which promotes golf for all disabilities, with the European Disabled Golf Association.
England Golf’s disability manager Jamie Blair said: “England Golf would like to thank BALASA for the foundations they have put in place and the opportunities they have created for disabled golfers to compete in top European competitions.
“I look forward to working with EDGA and to learning from my colleagues in Europe, not only improving the opportunities for talented golfers but also on getting more disabled people into the game. We will continue to work with BALASA and the other impairment specific golf groups to use their knowledge to ensure that EDGA events become as inclusive as possible.”
A new process is now in place for disabled golfers who meet the required level of impairment and wish to participate in the EDGA Access, Challenge and Premier events. In order to access EDGA competitions, players must hold an approved EDGA Medical Pass, meeting required level of impairment; active CONGU handicap; enter ballots through the EDGA website.
‘We hope to eventually achieve our ultimate aim of seeing golf in the Paralympic Games’ Disabled golfers wishing to retain membership of BALASA will pay their fee in the usual way and the charity will continue to select England teams for relevant international events.
Chairman Richard Saunders (pictured) said: “We have worked extremely hard behind the scenes with England Golf and other impairment groups to reach this significant position.
“We will continue to work on behalf of our members and the disabled fraternity to promote disabled golf, to encourage further participation for all, and to eventually achieve our ultimate aim of seeing golf in the Paralympic Games.”
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