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Actuel Paralympics RIO 2016  

 
 

Info Sweden Conference 2011 

 
Photo fltr: Mr. Kenji Mizuta, Medical Committee Advisor, Mr. Seijoe Satoh,
President and Founder of Disabled Golfers Association of Japan,
Secreatary Mrs. Haruko Matsuda, Pieter van Duijn, EDGA Secretary/treasurer,
Mats Linde, Director of FIFH, Malmo, Sweden and Björn Hakansson, Representative for
Sweden in EDGA.
 
Mats and Björn are also the organizers of the Men's Team World Championship and the Swedish Invitational and the Malmö World Handigolf Conference, August 2011. Please look for more information about these events in Malmo, Sweden: Tournements 2011.
 

 

 


Down the Fairway to Rio. Bidbook for golf in the 2016 paralympic sports programme (July 2010)

In close co-operation with the International Golf Federation (IGF) the bidbook for the inclusion of the sport of Golf in the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games Sport Programme was received by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) well before the deadline of 16th July 2016. Over the coming weeks the IPC Staff will review the documents and may contact us to seek clarification or additional data. The IPC Governing Board will decide the Rio 2016 Sport Programme during its meeting in December 2010.

 
 
 
 

General Assembly at Istanbul 

More news follows asap.

 

 


 
 

 
 

All for Sport for All: Perspectives of Sport for People with a Disability in Europe.

This conjoint project is led by the European Observatoire of Sport & Employment (EOSE) and the European Paralympic Committee (EPC), funded by the Preparatory Action on Sport of the European Commission. EDGA is partner in this project for Golf, together with the PGAs of Europe. The All for Sport for All project has the objective to contribute to better access to a wide network of opportunities in sport for people with a disability by mapping the status quo. The Project is conducted from 1st March 2010 till 28 February 2011 by 17 organisations from 12 European countries. In this period an Action Plan for Future Challenges will be developed; as a result EU citizens and young people with disabilities shall be able to build self-confidence, motivation and learning skills through sport and to lead more independent lives.
The Kick-off meeting of the Strategic Working Group for Sport for Persons with a Disability in Europe was on 29-30 April 2010 at the headquarters of the European Paralympic Committee in Vienna.
 

Photo top/left: Vilma Čingienė, Lithuanian Academy of Sports & Physical Education; Simone Digennaro, Italian Olympic Committee; Ben O’Rourke, SkillsActive, UK; Auvelien Favre,EOSE; Matthias Guett, EOSE; Nectaria Kontaxaki, Greece; Pieter van Duijn, EDGA; Jean Camy, University of Lyon; Cristina Almeida, Portugese Sport Institute, Špela Rozman, Slovenian Paralympic Committee; Margarita Karadimitropoulou, Hellenic Paralympic Committee; Jim van Heuven van Staereling, PGA’s of Europe.
Photo bottom/right: Aurelien Favre, EOSE; Saskia Kanfer, EPCommittee; John Petersson, President EPC; Craig Carcadden, EPC; Matthias Guett, EOSE.
 

 
 
 

EDGA meets NAGA in Boston, USA and CAGA in Calgary, Canada

On November 26, 2009 EDGA received the confirmation of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) that EDGA’s Declaration of Intent to Apply for Inclusion of Golf to the Paralympic Sports Programme has been accepted, subject to EDGA’s understanding that one of the requirements for the final process is being a legitimate International Federation. Such Federation worldwide does not exist for Disabled Golf and establishing a new worldwide federation was not an option due to the tight timelines of the IPC application process.

The best solution of the IPC requirement for an International Federation as the governing body in the Application Process, would be to follow the line taken by the International Golf Federation (IGF); they created the IGF Olympic Golf Committee with the only goal to include Golf in the 2016 Olympic Games. As you know, they succeeded. Golf is an Olympic Sport in 2016! For a number of reasons we decided to seek confirmation to follow this line, however, for a successful Application for inclusion of Golf also in the Paralympic Sports Programme, it appeared to be essential to prove that this is not only an European desire. We therefore informed the organisations working for disabled golf worldwide about the IPC Application process and asked them to support EDGA in our efforts to convince the International Golf Federation that the inclusion of disabled Golf in the 2016 Paralympics is a worldwide affair! For the next steps in the IPC Application Process it is vital to have a “Paralympic Golf Committee”, under the wings of the International Golf Federation, acting as the governing body in this process.

On the 16th and 18th March 2010 EDGA’s Roberto Caja and Pieter van Duijn had the privilege to meet with Bob Wilson, Executive Director of the National Amputee Golf Association (NAGA) in Boston, USA and with Mrs. Gwen Davies, President of the Canadian Amputee Golf Association (CAGA) in Calgary, Canada. We discussed the major items of the IPC Application process, including the way of future communication with the organisations worldwide and to see that representatives of 5 continents are consulted before major decisions are taken. This, to ensure that there is wide and collective consensus on future decisions in the IPC Application Process and beyond. Both, NAGA and CAGA appeared to be strong supporters in our efforts to include Disabled Golf in the 2016 Paralympic Games!
 
 
Boston f.l.t.r: Haden Edwards, Roberto Caja, Bob Wilson, Pieter van Duijn.



Calgary f.l.t.r.: Roberto Caja, Gwen Davies and Pieter van Duijn.

 

 
 
 

Future of Paralympic Classification Discussed in Bonn

On 19-20 February, representatives from a total of 21 different Paralympic sports attended the up-dating Classification meeting in Bonn, Germany. In addition to the 21 representatives, participants from seven sports, including Golf, with an intention of interest in becoming IPC Members or plans to become Paralympic sports in the future were in attendance; on behalf of the EDGA Medical Committee Prof. Wim Eisma, medical specialist and Jan Esser, physiotherapist and expierenced IPC Classifier in 4 paralympic sports participated. Pieter van Duijn attended on behalf of the EDGA Board. Important for EDGA was not only to learn more about IPC Classification, but also to compare notes with the members of the IPC Classification Committee and IPC Management about EDGA’s definitions of impairments.

Examples
IPC Classification Committee Member Dr. Sean Tweedy gave an overview of the concepts on evidence-based classification, while IPC Sports Science Committee Chairperson Prof. Yves Vanlandewijck and IPC Medical & Scientific Director Dr. Peter Van de Vliet presented examples on implementing this model into different sports. Important for EDGA was to see that the IPC Classification Code is the leading thread running through the IPC organization. The purpose of classification is to minimize the impact that eligible imairment types have on the outcome of competition. The system of classification aims to place athletes into classes according to how much their impairment impacts on the core determinants of success in a paralympic sport and to ensure that a clear reference is made to “International Classification”. Golf is the only sport in IPC with a handicap system in itself as part of the game; it is deemed necessary to demonstrate at a later date the EDGA Definitions of impairments to the IPC Classification Committee and to compare these with the IPC Classification Code. Therefore, members of the EDGA Medical Committee will meet on March 13 and 14.
 

  
F.l.t.r. Prof. Wim Eisma, IPC’s Medical & Scientific Director Peter Van de Vliet,
Pieter van Duijn, Jan Esser and IPC’s CEO Xavier Gonzalez.
 
 

 
 

2009 Japan Disabled Open Golf Championship 

The 14th Japan Open Golf Championship for the Disabled was held from 25th to 27th October 2009 at Ciran Country Club in Kagoshima.
Kagoshima is a city in southern Japan, approximately 2 hours flight from Tokyo,very wonderful place for sightseeing. Chiran Country Club is one of the prestigious golf course in this area.This private country club is known for its beautiful course conditions and toughness, in which lakes and bunkers are designed ingeniously and calls for strategic technique.

About 70 players participated the tournament .Our Japan Open is divided in 8 groups; Upper & Lower Limb amputee, disability from Stroke, Multiple disability, Minor disability, Mental disability, Wheelchair, and the Grand Prix divisions.

The Grand Prix division requires a 15 or lower handicap index, whatever the disability may be and they play from the back (blue) tees using JGA rules as regular amateur tournaments play by. The winner of this division becomes the winner of the Japan Open.

From 2000, we have some players from oversea. So far Geoff Nicholas (Australia), Dan Cox(USA) and  Johan Camelstad from Sweden have won this tournament.This year, because of depression of the world economy,we had no player from oversea.

The winner is Ryotaro Koike  suffers from Ankylosing Spondylitis, which brings pain to and hardens muscles in all parts of the body,shooting 77, 76, totaling 153 strokes. Runner-up was Shigeru Kobayashi, 82, 79 (161), and Ken Furuta came in 3rd place with an 81, 81(162.)

We plan our 15th Annual Japan Open next year from October 24th to the 26th, returning to the Kanto (Tokyo) region.
We will welcome many players from EDGA!

Haruko Matsuda, Executive Director,
Disabled Golf Association Japan.

 
 
 

 EDGA meets The R&A in Scotland.

On Thursday 19th November 2009 President Roberto Caja and Secretary Pieter van Duijn had the privilege to have a meeting with Mr. Peter Dawson, Chief Executive of The R&A and Joint Secretary of the International Golf Federation and Mr. Duncan Weir, Director of Golf Development. We discussed developments in our efforts to have Golf in the Paralympics in 2016. As to this, EDGA sent the required Declaration of Intent to the International Paralympic Committee early November 2009; we now await the invitation of the IPC to come forward with the formal Application. It was agreed in this meeting to take direct and further steps towards organisations concerned world-wide.

 

 

 
 
 

The Spanish Golf Federation invited EDGA


After our presentation at the Annual Meeting of the European Golf Association (EGA) in Hamburg last month, President Gonzaga Escauriaza Barreiro of the Spanish Golf Federation invited us to meet in Madrid to talk about the possibility of membership of EDGA and about the future goals for disabled golf in Spain. On Wednesday 17th November 2009 we met again and had a long and constructive meeting with Mr. José Felix Bilbao Egaña, Presidente Comité Golf Adaptado. We discussed the past, present and future of adapted golf in Spain and learned about their ambitious plans and initiatives nation-wide. We also met with groups of mental and physical disabled golfers during their weekly training sessions. We are impressed by the progress these players make and the facilities offered to them. In the near future the Spanish Golf Federation will continue to increase the number of facilities to teach disabled golfers and to offer them also the possibility to play in their golf competitions.
 

 
 

 EDGA meets EGA  in Hamburg, Germany

At the Annual General Meeting 2009 of the European Golf Association (EGA) on Saturday 17th October 2009, EDGA had the opportunity to present itself giving an overview of the developments in Golf for people with physical limitations during the last 10 years. Positive reactions came from the Federations of Germany, Spain, Portugal and Israel. In the next few weeks we will have further talks about membership of EDGA. Earlier this year the Netherlands Golf Federation confirmed their economical support from 2010 on! Now that Golf is accepted as a new Sport at the 2016 Olympic Games in Brasil, we informed the delegates also about EDGA’s initiatives to try and get Golf also as a Paralympic Sport in that year. Early next month EDGA will present our Declaration of Intent to the IPC to apply for the inclusion of Golf. Further to a meeting with the PGA European Tour last August we met again in Hamburg and accepted the invitation for a meeting to discuss their possibilities of supporting EDGA activities and competitionprogramme.

 
 

 EDGA meets SADGA 

On 17th and 18th October 2009 we discussed various items with SADGA, our Member organisation in South Africa. The main points of this meeting were the progress we made to increase the number of member organisations in EDGA (possible membership of the German, Spanish, Portugese and Israelic Golf Federations as a result of our presentation in the General Assembly of EGA in Hamburg, Germany), the start of the cooperation with PGA European Tour, to increase the cooperation between EDGA and SADGA, to combine forces to improve the economical side for EDGA, to professionalize the EDGA organisation and to work together to get Golf in the Paralympics 2016. We shared the passion and the thrill of the progress made in these items and confirmed that the geographical distance is just a minor issue and of no importance for a close collaboration!
 



Pieter van Duijn, Roberto Caja, EDGA Executivce Board,
Craig Moorgas, Chairman of SADGA Board,
Eugene Vorster, Executive Director of SADGA. 
 
 

EDGA meeting at Margara Golf Club in Fubine, Piemonte, Italy

During the Italian Open from 22-25th September 2009 at Margara Golf Club in Fubine, Piemonte, Italy, EDGA met with Mrs. Titiana Nasi, Presidente of the Italian Paralympic Committee in Piemonte, Mr. Sanjeev Kumar Chaudhary, Sr. Vice President and Mr. Jasjit Singh (not on the picture), national coach of the Paralympic Golf Association of India (PGAI), and Mr. Roberto Lauro, President of Margara Golf Club.
The keynote of their visit was to learn all about the organisation of a tournament for disabled golf, to collect information/material and gather advice for starting activities for disabled golf in India. We also discussed the activities of EDGA towards the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to try and get Golf as a Sport in the 2016 Paralympics.


Photo left: Roberto Caja, Pres. EDGA,
Sanjeev Chaudhary, Vice Pres. Paralympic Golf Association of India,
Pieter van Duijn, Secr. EDGA,
Mrs. Tiziana Nasi, Pres. Italian Paralympic Committee of Piemonte,
Roberto Lauro, Pres. Margara Golf Club.
Photo under: The Margara Golf Club

 
 

EDGA meets European Golf Association (EGA)

On 15th September the EDGA Executive Board had a meeting with Mr. John C. Storjohann, General Secretary of EGA. We had the opportunity to extensively explain our aims and objectives and our views on spreading the word of international golf for people with physical limitations.

Also the aspects of Golf, most likely being an Olympic Sport in 2016, and the intended EDGA activities that will start as soon as the final decision of the IOC is known were discussed. All this with the purpose to try and get
Golf also as a Paralympic Sport in 2016. EDGA now represents 15 national organisations but wants to get footprints in more EGA countries to show that the game of golf, per definition, is a perfect Sport to be played by people with physical limitations. Golf also is also a good example of integration as the game can be played equitably with able-bodied individuals.

We were offered a platform for presenting our organisation, interests and activities during the EGA Annual General Meeting on 17th October 2009. 

 

 

Meeting Malmö, Sweden

EDGA, as Governing Body, joins the Working Group for the World Team Championship for Men from 6th- 11th August 2011, Malmö, Sweden, followed by the 3rd edition of the Swedish Invitational Tournament from 12th – 14th August 2011. Both events take place at challenging Bokskogen Golf Club, hosted by the Swedish Golf Federation (http://www.sgf.golf.se/). Other Participants of this Working Group are FIFH, Malmö (http://www.fifh.com/), one of the biggest Association Sport for the Disabled and Bokskogen GK (http://www.bokskogen.com/).
This World Championship for Men’s teams is limited to 3 players per team per nationality in a 3 days 54 holes scratch competition (foursome, four ball better ball and singles resp.).
The Working Group intends to communicate periodically up-dates of further developments; our next meeting is foreseen around mid November 2009.

We draw your attention further to the fact that there are quite a number of similarities between this World Championship, the prospects of Golf being accepted as an Olympic Sport (definite decision by the I.O.C. early October 2009) and this year’s preliminary actions EDGA has been taken to try and get Golf also as a Paralympic Sport. For this, a separate application must be presented to the International Paralympic Committee (I.P.C.). The EDGA Executive Board is already heavily engaged in this proces and will keep you posted of further developments.
As to this, we also investigate the possibility to have a World Congress on Disabled Golf during the above events.

 

 
Mats Linde, FIFH; Peter Nilsson, FIFH; Helena Brobeck, Swedish Golf Federation;
Björn Håkansson, Swedish Golf Federation; Wolfgang Jeremias, Bokskogen Golf Club;
Pieter van Duijn, EDGA Secretary/treasurer; Roberto Caja, EDGA President.
 

 
 

Visit Klassis Golf & Country Club near Istanbul, Turkey

EDGA officers Tineke Loogman and Pieter van Duijn visited Klassis Golf & Country Club near Istanbul, Turkey from August 24-26 to assist Turkish Golf Federation in organizing their first tournament for disabled golfers. This tournament is scheduled for Monday 12th (arrivals)- Friday 16th April 2010 (departures). On Friday 16th April also the EDGA General Assembly will be organised.
The outstanding golf course of the Klassis Golf & Country Club is situated in a hilly agricultural countryside at one hours drive from Istanbul international airport. The 18 hole par 73 championship golf course designed by Tony Jacklin, is built in a wide area of 1700 hectares, being Turkey’s first golf club with PGA certificated 18 hole golf course under international standards. The course itself is long, challenging and quite an experience for all categories of play (see pictures); because of the hilly landscape and the distances between some holes, it was decided that all players will have a buggy. The hotel facilities fit all conveniences incl. 2 heated outdoor swimming pools and sports facilities. For more information we refer to the website  Klassis Golf & Country Club.
Foto's
 

  
Ismet Aktekin (TGF), Dilek Hamoğlu (Klassis), Pieter van Duijn (EDGA), Tineke Loogman (EDGA),
Ugur Saribasak (Pro.Klassis), Adnan Salmanle (Head Pro TGF), Ahmet Insel (Klassis).
 
 

EDGA meets PGA European Tour

On the 20th August 2009 Ramón van Wingerden, Senior officer of the Netherlands Golf Federation introduced EDGA to David Park, Charity Executive of European Tour. We had a constructive meeting explaining the mutual aims and objectives and the similarities in our organisations to see in what way we can cooperate in the near future. It was arranged to have a further discussion later on this year.
This meeting is part of EDGA’s endeavours to come to terms with governing bodies in the golf environment, the more so as Golf is going to be Olympic and EDGA dedicate ourselves to bring Golf also to the Paralympics. Next month we meet the European Golf Association (EGA).

 

 
Ramón van Wingerden, senior-officer Netherlands Golf Federation,
David Park, European Tour, Charity Executive and
Pieter van Duijn, EDGA Secretary/treasurer.
 
 
 

EDGA Board Mid-summer talks, 18th July 2009, Castelconturbia, Italy!


As EDGA is in the process of carrying out a number of important initiatives, we feel that an up-date to you of what has been said about these projects in our General Assembly in April 2009 and to inform you about new activities in which EDGA plays an important and active role, is of the essence to prove that the EDGA  aims and objectives are recognized also in the international golf environment.

Our Agenda for the next few months:



*In August 2009 we speak to officers of the PGA European Tour to look for cooperative efforts for developing the game of golf for people with physical limitations.
*Also in August we will visit the British Open at Old Thorns Golf & Country Club Estate, Liphook, Hampshire to strengthen relations and support mutual interests.
*We reported on the EDGA website about our visit to the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) in Bonn, Germany last April. Although the International Golf Federation (IGF) bid fair in June 2009 before the IOC to try and get golf as an Olypmpic sport in 2016 (a decision is taken not until 2nd October 2009), the EDGA Board is of the opinion that organisations world-wide working for golf for people with physical limitations must organize themselves to join forces world-wide. This is a vital step in our approach towards the IPC. We therefore communicate with IGF/R&A/IPC about this item also in relation to world-wide golf events being on the stocks already. 
*Together with the Sports Committee we pay a visit to the Turkish Golf Federation in August to help them organize their first championship in 2010 near Istanbul.
* Early September 2009 we have a meeting with the Swedish Golf Federation and organizers of the World Team Championship in Malmö 2011 to work together also in relation to what has been said above about the Olympic/Paralympic movement and the necessity of having a world-wide interlocked cooperation between the associations on different continents.
*Brief contacts in the past with the European Golf Association learned that EGA as an organisation is merely an administrative identity in which 37 European Golf Federations are united; however, we approached EGA with the question to have “golf for people with physical limitations” on their Agenda for the next General Assembly this autumn. We are supported in this by the Dutch Golf Federation in various ways. We come back to you with more details as soon possible.
*Mid May it was announced that the first ever EU funding specially targeting sport is open for applications also for transnational projects promoting health-enhancing physical activity, education and training in sport, sport for persons with disabilities and gender equality in sport. The deadline for submission of applications to the European Commission is 31-08-2009. As the representative of organisations in 15 countries we try to send in applications for the items mentioned above in close cooperation with our consultants and our member organisations.
*In October this year the EDGA Board will meet with officers of SADGA, our member organisation in South Africa, during their charity tournament in the U.K. to further eliminate the geographical distance in our cooperation. 
*To be complete, we inform you that the (advanced) course for golf professionals to teach people with physical limitations is now in the process of actual writing the program. With the generous support of the Dutch Golf Federation, PGA Holland, the Van Swinderen College (Dutch institute for golf education in the Netherlands) and officers and players of our Dutch member organisation NGG we were able to secure this project. In October 2009 this module will be implemented in the regular educational programme for golf professionals. Besides this, also 47 highly motivated teaching golf professionals in the Netherlands voluntered to take this course as well. The PGAs of Europe closely follow these developments for possible international applications. 

In case you have questions or remarks about the above mentioned activities, please do not hesitate to contact us. Also any kind of help will always be appreciated as joined forces are much stronger than individual actions. In fact, this is one of the reasons why EDGA was founded.

European Disabled Golf Association


Pieter van Duijn
EDGA Secretary |  Treasurer's Office
Wederikhof 8
NL-2215 GJ  VOORHOUT
The Netherlands
T : +31 (0)252 22 41 61
M: +31 (0)642 92 01 98
@: mail@edgagolf.com

 
 

Meeting IPC

In April 2009 we initiated a meeting with the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) in Bonn to talk about golf for people with physical limitations in relation to the possibility that golf may be Olympic in 2016. The decision will be taken by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in October 2009. If that is the case, the IPC has their own criteria to accept golf also as a paralympic sport. EDGA intends to promote golf as a Paralympic Sport and intends to act as the international association for golf in the Paralympic Games.
 

 
Roberto Caja, President of EDGA, Xavier Gonzalez, CEO of IPC,
Pieter van Duijn, Secretary-treasurer of EDGA and David Grevemberg, Executive Director Sport & IF Relations.  

 
 

Meeting Turkey

On 5th February 2009 President Roberto Caja and Secretary Pieter van Duijn visited the Turkish Golf Federation (TGF) in Istanbul to discuss future developments of golf for people with disabilities in Turkey.
Two years ago TGF President Mr. Ahmet Ağaoğlu took the initiative to support and develop the game of golf also for people with disabilities; this was done in close cooperation with President Yavuz Kocaomer of the Turkish National Paralympic Committee. They now have 5 wheelchair players who follow a training programme twice a week in their Paragolfers. TGF wants to organise an EDGA tournament in Istanbul, most likely in April 2010 to promote golf for people with disabilities. EDGA will support their initiatives wherever we can. 

 

 
 
Nasut Akosman, Board Member, Mrs. Burcu Olgun of Turkish Golf
Federation, Roberto Caja, President of EDGA, Pieter van Duijn,
Secretary/treasurer of EDGA. At he rightside:
Mr. Yavuz Kocaomer, President of the Turkish National Paralympic Committee.
 
 

 

Agenda EDGA General Assembly 2010
EDGA General Report 2009
SADGA Newsletter May 2010

Archive 2008
Archive 2009