EDGA & BALASA Disabled Championships 2014
The EDGA Disabled Championship 2014 took place this weekend with the UK disabled golfers of BALASA (British Amputee & Les Autres Sports Association) proving they had the heart to battle amongst the best of Europe when they took on all comers at Belton Woods in Lincolnshire …
The EDGA Disabled Championship included a rich diversity of disabled players single & double leg amputees, armed amputees (one-armed golfers), wheelchair (paraplegic golfers), phocomelia and thalidomide. The event, the first EDGA individual disabled championship of its kind ever held in the UK was supported by the R&A, The Douglas Bader Foundation, TheSocialGolfer.com, Titleist , Belton Park Golf Club, Bradshaw Rentals and the De Vere Group.
A field of 72 from more than 10 countries including France, Spain, Sweden, Denmark, The Czech Rep, Belgium and Holland all arrived at the well known Lincolnshire venue on Thursday for the practice day with the prospect of three days of competitive golf before them.
Initially planned as a 54 hole event, sadly the rain stopped play on the second day, and subsequently the event was reduced to a 36 hole event with too many rounds on the Saturday not completed. However, this did not dampen the spirits of the competitors who also all attended a Gala dinner on the Saturday evening which was also attended by BALASA Chairman, Richard Saunders and EDGA, President Tony Bennett.
The competition is split into four separate categories reflecting the differences in the abilities of the golfers, marked …
Category 1 – H’cap 0 – 4.4 strokeplay
Category 2 – H’cap 4.5 – 11.4 strokeplay
Category 3 – H’cap 11.5 – 18.4 strokeplay
Category 4 – H’cap 18.5 – 26.4 strokeplay
The quality of the golf across the weekend was an inspiration to those that attended and the event was also covered by Sky Sports News giving much needed exposure to the championship.
Well despite a fantastic showing by the Europeans who took the top honours in the overall competition with Stefan Morkholt (Den) winning the men’s and Caroline Larsson (Swe) lifting the ladies trophy.
However, it was the UK golfers who won 4 out of 5 of the categories they competed in….
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| OVERALL | RD 1 | Rd 2 | Total | ||
| 1st | European Individual Champion WINNER Gross | Stefan Morkholt Den | 69 | 76 | 145 |
| 1st | European Individual Champion WINNER Gross | Caroline Larsson Swe | 75 | 81 | 156 |
| 1st | BALASA Individual Champion WINNER Gross | Kevin Harmison Eng | 74 | 79 | 153 |
| CATEGORY 1 | |||||
| 1st | European Individual Champion Cat 1st Gross | Stefan Morkholt Den | 69 | 76 | 145 |
| 2nd | European Individual Champion Cat 1. Runner-up Gross (c/b) | Kevin Harmison Eng | 74 | 79 | 153 |
| 3rd | European Individual Champion Cat 1. 3rd Gross 2014 | Johan Kammerstad Swe | 73 | 80 | 153 |
| CATEGORY 2 | |||||
| 1st | European Individual Champion Cat 2. 1st Gross | Mark Smith Eng | 78 | 80 | 158 |
| 2nd | European Individual Champion Cat 2. Runner-up Gross | Williem Aart Vlug Hol | 79 | 83 | 162 |
| 3rd | European Individual Champion Cat 2. 3rd Gross | Robert Johnson Eng | 83 | 80 | 163 |
| CATEGORY 3 | |||||
| 1st | European Individual Champion Cat 3. 1st Gross | Tony Lloyd Eng | 86 | 86 | 172 |
| 2nd | European Individual Champion Cat 3. Runner-up Gross | Nino Ourabah Fra | 90 | 84 | 174 |
| 3rd | European Individual Champion Cat 3. 3rd Gross | Bill West Eng | 85 | 91 | 176 |
| CATEGORY 1-3 | |||||
| 1st | European Individual Champion WINNER NETT | Mark Helm Eng | 70 | 75 | 145 |
| CATEGORY 4 | |||||
| 1st | European Individual Champion Stableford WINNER | Richard Saunders Eng | 34 | 40 | 74 |
| 2nd | European Individual Champion Runner-up Stableford 2014 (c/b) | Michal Hosna Cze | 27 | 34 | 61 |
| 3rd | European Individual Champion 3rd Stableford 2014 | Michael Mc Gowan Eng | 29 | 32 | 61 |
| HUMAN HANDICAP CATEGORIES | |||||
| 1st | European Champion 1st Arm Category Stableford Gross | Joakim Bjorkman Swe | 59 | ||
| 1st | European Champion 1st Leg Category Stableford Gross | Stefan Morkholt Swe | 73 | ||
| 1st | European Champion 1st Wheelchair Category Stableford Gross | Richard Kluwen Hol | 27 | ||
| 1st | European Champion 1st Les Autres Category Stableford Gross | Johan Kammerstad Swe | 58 | ||
| Ladies | |||||
| 1st | European Individual Champion 1st NETT | Mette Wegge Lynnggard Den | 72 | 78 | 150 |
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“I am thrilled with the response and support we have had for this event. A big thank you to all our supporters, the R&A, EDGA and the many volunteers. This is the first time a tournament such as this has been staged in the UK and it proves what a sparkling array of talent we have within these shores. It has been a superb effort from all the competitors who faced the wind and rain on Saturday and I’d like to thank all our friends from Europe for taking the time to compete in the event. I would also personally like to thank Douglas Herbert (R&A), Peter Coles (European Tour) Tony Curtis & James Wiggins (England Golf)“ – Richard Saunders – Chairman of BALASA and Championship Director
“I’d like to congratulate all the competitors who played in this event, it’s a privilege for us to watch the golfers play the standard of golf they do. I’d also like to thank Richard Saunders, his team and his wife who all worked tirelessly in putting on this Championship, as well as the EDGA team. Golf also requires volunteers and we are grateful to them for their time“ – Tony Bennett – President of EDGA
To find out more about this vital charity visit: balasa.org or www.edgagolf.com
