Daphne van Houten tees off on the 1st hole during The G4D Open at Woburn Golf Club. Photo: Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\nShortly after 8am on May 15th, watery sunlight greets Susan Simpson (The R&A Assistant Director, Amateur Championships) and her hard working team at Woburn. Wearing white gloves to protect the gleaming winners\u2019 silverware, weeks of preparation for The G4D Open are completed as the two trophies are put in place beside the men\u2019s and women\u2019s first tees on the Duchess Course.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\nOn the stroke of 8.30am, in \u2018match one\u2019, Daphne van Houten of the Netherlands is announced on the official starter\u2019s microphone to a hushed gallery, which watches as the 25-year-old prepares to strike the first blow of the tournament.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.edgagolf.com\/profiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/G4D-Open-Practice-Day-Two-3-1024x668.jpeg\")
Daphne van Houten playing well. Photo: Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\nVan Houten, already something of a veteran of G4D (golf for the disabled) tournaments, thoroughly deserved this honour. And being Daphne, she essayed a fine drive down the middle of the first fairway to the applause of all present.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\nEighty players from 19 countries assembled for the week (May 13-17), for the challenge of tackling the beautiful but highly testing Duchess Course over 54 holes in Gross stroke play. This inclusive tournament, created by event partners The R&A and the DP World Tour, supported by EDGA, was off and running in its second year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\nEvery attempt had been made to ensure that the venue was first-rate for the competitors, perhaps the best example being the work carried out to make every bunker on the course accessible to all the golfers, including those who play from a powered chair.<\/p>\r\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.edgagolf.com\/profiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/G4D-Open-Practice-Day-Two-2-1024x601.jpeg\")
America’s Kevin Holland on the Duchess Course<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\nLooking around this famous venue it was hard to miss the signature dark blue of The R&A\u2019s \u2018G4D Open\u2019 signage, the colour and typeface synonymous with The Open and other historic events, all designed to inform and inspire competitors and spectators alike. And as happens at such international events elsewhere, many of the club golfers in the area wanted to support this tournament, with more than 120 members of Woburn and nearby venues volunteering to help the players in scoring, caddying, ball spotting and other key tasks.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n\u201cI love it, it feels like our Open,\u201d summed up one G4D player on the first day; the players responding by meeting the challenge in front of them and playing some wonderful golf all week.<\/p>\r\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.edgagolf.com\/profiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Perfect-for-mention-of-bunkers-at-2.05-and-can-cut-into-time-of-short-guy-just-after-which-is-general-1024x683.jpg\")
Kris Aves playing from the immaculate Woburn bunkers which were accessible to all the competitors. Photo: EDGA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\nDaphne said on her own nod to history with her opening shot: “That was amazing to do. Many people were watching and the nerves, and that always feels nice to hit a good one, amazing on the first hole.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n\u201cI wasn’t here last year, so it is my first time at The G4D Open and it’s massive. With 80 players and then so many people watching on the first tee and then they’re all clapping for you; it keeps you going when there are so many people supporting you.\u201d<\/p>\r\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.edgagolf.com\/profiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/DSC_5381-1024x683.jpg\")
Great signage for competitors and spectators at Woburn. Photo: EDGA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\nAs each player left Woburn\u2019s clubhouse and made their way towards the course they would be much aware of a series of striking 12-foot high presentation boards bearing photographs celebrating last year\u2019s overall male and female victors but also the winners of the nine sport classes of athletes taking part (three \u2018Standing\u2019 classes, two \u2018Sitting\u2019, two \u2018Visual\u2019 and two \u2018Intellectual\u2019).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\nOn these boards, along with established names such as Kipp Popert and Brendan Lawlor, there was one for Italy\u2019s Stefano Palmieri (winner of \u2018Visual 1\u2019 \u2013 a player who is totally blind) and England\u2019s Terry Kirby (champion in sport class \u2018Sitting 1\u2019). Yorkshireman Terry, returning to Woburn and seeing his board on arrival, immediately asked to take it home to put by his front door in Hull.<\/p>\r\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.edgagolf.com\/profiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/G4D-Open-Day-Two-4-1024x708.jpeg\")
Chris Willis of Canada pushed Kipp and Brendan hard on the third day and finished in an excellent third place. Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\nThe players visited from all parts, including Canada, USA, Europe, Japan and Australia. They had qualified through the World Ranking for Golfers with Disability (WR4GD) but nevertheless the tournament seemed to retain the feeling of solidarity and competitive community found in the 140-plus EDGA-run, badged or supported events worldwide where these Ranking points are accrued.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.edgagolf.com\/profiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/G4D-Open-Practice-Day-Two-4-755x1024.jpeg\")
Mother and daughter Martine and Heather Gilks from England both qualified for the tournament. Photo: Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\nThe G4D Open is, however, different. Importantly, the media interest helps EDGA make more people aware, individuals with a disability, family and friends, that there is a community of golfers in which they can join: whether as a \u2018sampler\u2019 perhaps taking first chips and putts following an injury or illness (in a hospital setting, rehab clinic, sports hall or golf venue), as a more regular \u2018participant\u2019, or as a regular \u2018competitor\u2019 as seen at Woburn.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.edgagolf.com\/profiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/G4D-Open-Practice-Day-One-3-1024x728.jpeg\")
Hayato Yoshida of Japan pictured during a practice round. Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\nWith this fine club owned by the Duke of Bedford becoming almost a world-centre for G4D for the week, organisers made maximum use of the time: welcoming to a series of workshops international delegates, including from national federations, from as far afield as Egypt, Japan, Norway, Uganda, Ukraine and South Africa, to help chart the future by seeking to build capacity in G4D and enhance golf\u2019s offer: themes including the improvement of venues, communications, competitions, coaching and workforces, while supporting The R&A in its work to make the game more inclusive.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.edgagolf.com\/profiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/G4D-Open-Practice-Day-Two-6-1024x683.jpeg\")
Tineke Loogman Verbruggen of the Netherlands checking on her prosthetic and (below) driving from the tee. Photo below: EDGA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.edgagolf.com\/profiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/DSC_6006-1024x683.jpeg\")
<\/p>\r\n
Tony Bennett, President of EDGA, said: \u201cA major benefit of this tournament is to bring the eyes of the world to G4D and highlight golf\u2019s power to help people to reach their potential. With approximately 16 per cent of the world\u2019s population having a disability, focused attention around this year\u2019s G4D Open made this a significant week for those seeking to make changes, and for those who could and should benefit from positive change.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\nTony added: \u201cThis tournament showcases fantastic players from nine sport classes. All the players qualified on merit through the World Ranking. However, many fine players didn\u2019t qualify this time, as happens with a ranking system, but we now want them to be inspired to work on their game further, to be the best they can be, so they can show everyone their golf skills next time and contest for the sport class trophies.\u201d<\/p>\r\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.edgagolf.com\/profiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Tony-picture-one-1024x682.jpg\")
EDGA’s Tony Bennett (left) with Swiss player Patrick Rosenast who was highly supportive of fellow G4D players at Woburn. Photo: EDGA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\nWorld Number 1 from England Kipp Popert, who has cerebral palsy, and Ireland\u2019s Brendan Lawlor (World Number 2), who has Ellis\u2013van Creveld syndrome, played some fantastic golf between them all week, with Popert\u2019s closing two-over-par 74 for a total of 217 edging out Lawlor by a single shot. Their and others\u2019 very high standards will have stirred the imagination of the spectators and those who have watched through media channels.<\/p>\r\n
Kipp said on finishing: \u201cI was pretty pleased to get the win and it was nice. Brendan and I have a good battle and we get on well. So it was really good.”<\/p>\r\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.edgagolf.com\/profiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/DSC_7493-1024x683.jpeg\")
Kipp Popert played fine golf over three days to win the overall championship. Photo: EDGA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\nAll of the 80 qualifying players have a designated sport class, and not only competed in the overall championship but also in their respective classes. As Kipp Popert holed out from two feet to finish the tournament, alongside the overall leading male and female winner (a certain Daphne van Houten), a gross prize was also awarded in each sport class.<\/p>\r\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.edgagolf.com\/profiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/G4D-Open-Day-Three-4-1024x580.jpeg\")
Sport class winners (L to R) Chris Willis, John Eakin, Thomas Blizzard. Terry Kirby, Erika Malmberg, Kipp Popert, Daphne van Houten, Richard Kluwen, Aimi Bullock, Ellie Perks, Cameron Pollard, Alessandra Donati, Juan Postigo Arce, Brendan Lawlor, Paul O’Rahilly. Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\nThe men\u2019s gross prize winners were as follows:<\/p>\r\n
\r\n- Intellectual 1: Cameron Pollard, Australia<\/li>\r\n
- Intellectual 2: Thomas Blizzard, England<\/li>\r\n
- Standing 1: Juan Postigo Arce, Spain<\/li>\r\n
- Standing 2: Kipp Popert, England<\/li>\r\n
- Standing 3: Brendan Lawlor, Ireland<\/li>\r\n
- Sitting 1: Terry Kirby, England<\/li>\r\n
- Sitting 2: Richard Kluwen, The Netherlands<\/li>\r\n
- Visual 1: Paul O\u2019Rahilly, Ireland<\/li>\r\n
- Visual 2: John Eakin, England<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.edgagolf.com\/profiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Can-you-squeeze-Brendan-in-around-5.50-general-pic-1024x731.jpg\")
2023 champion Brendan Lawlor defended his title with determination but always with a smile<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\nThe women\u2019s gross prize winners were as follows:<\/p>\r\n
\r\n- Intellectual 2: Erika Malmberg, Sweden<\/li>\r\n
- Standing 1: Alessandra Donati, Italy<\/li>\r\n
- Standing 2: Aimi Bullock, England<\/li>\r\n
- Standing 3: Daphne van Houten, The Netherlands<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.edgagolf.com\/profiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/21062-1024x682.jpg\")
Kipp Popert and Daphne van Houten with their G4D Open trophies<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\nWomen\u2019s champion Daphne van Houten, who was born with scoliosis, talked of the positive environment surrounding the players she knows well from EDGA tournaments. \u201cIt’s been good to catch up with everybody. I came here a bit earlier and I think I spoke to all 80 of them, so that’s nice.<\/p>\r\n
\u201cI\u2019d also like to thank my caddie. I didn’t know her before. She just walked onto the first tee on the first day and she did perfectly. Just chatting around, keeping me comfortable. Of course, I want to thank my parents. They brought me to many tournaments when I was younger. They went through my operation together with me and they always have my back. My whole family. EDGA of course; I want to thank EDGA because they make it work.\u201d<\/p>\r\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.edgagolf.com\/profiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/G4D-Open-Day-Three-8-1024x890.jpeg\")
The Duke of Bedford presents Aimi Bullock with her prize at Woburn<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\nEngland\u2019s Tony Lloyd, because of the challenges of his condition (he was born with bilateral upper limb phocomelia, which he refers to as having\u00a0elbow-length arms with no hands), wasn\u2019t expecting to win the overall tournament but he put together three brilliant gross rounds of 86, 81 (which included four birdies) and 84 to come 4th in his sport class, Standing 1.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.edgagolf.com\/profiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/DSC_6728-1024x683.jpg\")
Tony Lloyd of England scored 86, 81 and 84 in The G4D Open. Photo: EDGA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\nTony said: \u201cI’m thrilled with how I played this week with three rounds in the eighties after last year’s three rounds in the nineties, where the course beat me up. I got the redemption I came here wanting this week, so I’m very happy.<\/p>\r\n
\u201cIt is the simplest thing in the world. It’s practice, practice, practice. The only way you’ll get better is by repetition and just trying to improve.\u201d<\/p>\r\n
Female winner in Intellectual 2, Erika Malmberg who is autistic, also competes in order to spread awareness and understanding of this often misunderstood condition. (Michelle Lau of Cambridgeshire was also in this sport class, inspired to compete herself after seeing Erika\u2019s posts on Instagram.) At Woburn, Erika shed a few tears as the Swedish player described how golf has helped her to learn and become stronger in life.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.edgagolf.com\/profiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/G4D-Open-Day-Three-5-1024x591.jpeg\")
Richard Kluwen of the Netherlands won his sport class, Sitting 2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\nRichard Kluwen of the Netherlands won the day in Sitting 2, and just as Daphne did he praised his volunteer caddie. So many of the players praised the volunteers, led brilliantly by Woburn’s Glenna Beasley and Stephan Dimic.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n
Richard said of his experience: \u201cThis is the first time I played a G4D Tour tournament and I am bedazzled. I am, really, I can’t believe that the organisation can be so well thought through. Everything is right. A lot of volunteers who will help with everything. It’s really a party to be here and I know I will be here next year, that’s for sure.<\/p>\r\n
\u201cI got here on the first day, I asked for a caddie and I met Susan. I think she’s the best caddie a player could ever wish for, we had good fun.\u201d<\/p>\r\n
With the backing of The Duke of Bedford, President of Woburn Golf Club, and his highly professional staff, nothing was too much trouble in a week when the details were as important as the broad brush. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.edgagolf.com\/profiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/IMG_7313-rotated.jpg\")
Jacob Fawcett (left) and Rupert Chaplin were among the Woburn coaching staff trained by Mark Taylor<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\nIn the build-up to the event EDGA Head of Instruction & Education Mark Taylor coached the PGA Professional staff at Woburn so they could gain expertise in the area of coaching players new and established with a disability. Sessions included learning how to help players who swing from a Paragolfer and players with a visual impairment. PGA Assistant Professional Jacob Fawcett said the training was a \u201cconfidence booster, giving me knowledge and insight so I can always welcome a golfer with disability and be able to help them in their approach to golf\u201d. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\nMeanwhile, Mark Taylor and EDGA eligibility assessor Lee-Ann Clarke (Golf Ireland) welcomed two groups of mental health patients from the East London NHS Foundation Trust to Woburn, offering The R&A approved \u2018D3\u2019 first-touch golf format which uses safe, light, colourful, adapted Golfway chippers and putters with soft balls, that can be used in non-golf venues, such as hospitals and schools. Importantly, Mark and Lee-Ann were able to offer training in D3 to staff and volunteers from the Trust so they could impart their new learning to a great many patients in the year ahead.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\nMark Taylor said: \u201cIt’s good to see a different demographic taking part in these activations, showcasing some of the positive benefits that golf offers in the wider aspect of golf and health.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\nThe \u2018Visual Putting Challenge\u2019 held near the clubhouse was both an awareness exercise for all present and used in organised training for new \u2018Guides\u2019 for players with visual impairment. Everyone having a go gained an insight into what golfers with a visual impairment must contend with on every green. Helped by an attending \u2018Guide\u2019, \u2018simulation glasses\u2019 made the putting process gradually more difficult, and those trying had to rely on their Guide and their own sense of feel and balance to succeed.<\/p>\r\n
A group of students from Lealands High School, Luton, were eager to take part in this challenge, with EDGA Tournament Director Manon Eggermont using her training to act as their Guide. Director of Physical Education Shayne Harnett brought two groups totalling 22 students (including eight young people with special educational needs). Mr Harnett said: \u201cWe thought this was an ideal opportunity to expose our students to a new sport in golf, and certainly watching the players on the course and then taking part in this visual challenge has made us all think a little more about the resilience some athletes need to succeed. It has been a really positive experience for us all.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.edgagolf.com\/profiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/IMG_7259-300x225.jpg\")
Students from Lealands High School, Luton, enjoyed their exposure to a new sport<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\nStudents commented on how impressive it was that golfers with a visual impairment could take part in The G4D Open.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\nOne of those players, Paul O\u2019Rahilly from Ireland, was playing in the in Visual 1 sport class, and was taking on all the challenges faced by someone with a significant visual impairment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\nPaul was hugely grateful to his great friend John who was with him as his Guide. Of his playing he said: \u201cI was very impressed with the golf course, a fantastic test in every way. In addition to that, then you’re faced with undulating lies, challenging stances and that’s just the start of it. Once you get to the green, you are faced with just incredibly fast putts.<\/p>\r\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.edgagolf.com\/profiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/G4D-Open-Day-One-4-1024x708.jpeg\")
Paul O’Rahilly of Ireland pictured with his Guide John on the 4th hole. Photo: Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n\u201cThe work that went into the event itself from The R&A, the DP World Tour, from EDGA, from Woburn Golf Club\u2026 There were professional people and volunteers that brought something together that was just really well planned from start to finish. And we were treated like professional golfers. We were treated with tremendous respect.\u201d \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.edgagolf.com\/profiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/DSC_7057-1024x683.jpg\")
Alessandra Donati of Italy loved her Woburn experience. Photo: EDGA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\nThinking ahead, the aim is to bring in more quality female golfers for The G4D Open in 2025 (there were 11 female golfers qualifying this year).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\nDaphne van Houten would agree with this objective: \u201cYou can see people watching now and they are impressed with what we are doing. Hopefully more people come to watch and start to pick up a golf club.\u201d<\/p>\r\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.edgagolf.com\/profiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/DSC_6209-1-1024x683.jpeg\")
From left: Sweden’s Erika Malmberg, England’s Michelle Lau, and Luisa Ceola of Italy. Photo: EDGA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\nAimi Bullock, EDGA\u2019s Director of Women\u2019s Golf, said: \u201cThere were more women playing this year, which was fantastic, and there was a lot more coverage of the women across social media. When you speak to all of us, we have all had a brilliant time. It’s been a fantastic experience and hopefully that will reach a wider audience and encourage more women to want to be part of what is a fantastic event, and is only going to get better and better.\u201d<\/p>\r\n
Talking of the future, on a practice area behind the clubhouse, something great happened on the second day of the tournament.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\nSports-mad Joanie, age 10, from South Oxfordshire, was invited to join a special coaching session given by EDGA, where she joined a group of children with limb differences to test out a new golfing device being developed to increase accessibility for the sport.<\/p>\r\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.edgagolf.com\/profiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/ML3L0055_WNmgL6qj-1024x778.jpg\")
Joanie enjoyed her first golf coaching and helping trial Koalaa’s prosthetic device<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\nUK-based Koalaa is collaborating with EDGA on the development of the new golf tool, which is designed to enhance the ability of players with upper limb differences to effectively use a golf club. Koalaa and national charity the LimbBo Foundation invited the youngsters along to experience The G4D Open.<\/p>\r\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.edgagolf.com\/profiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/DSC_6686-1024x683.jpg\")
This is what golf is all about for youngsters. Photo: EDGA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\nWhile the development process is still in its early stages, the session at Woburn followed months of research and testing and was the first time that younger players have been invited to try out the prototype device.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\nJoanie and four other children completed four holes on a specially created practice course, experiencing both teeing off and putting.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\nJoanie commented: \u201cThe whole day was a great experience because I got to try a new sport for the very first time and met lots of people who were just like me. The new prosthetic and tool gave me control over the golf club so I could do a better swing. This was my first-time playing golf and I hope I will play again soon.\u201d<\/p>\r\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.edgagolf.com\/profiles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/DSC_6624-1024x683.jpg\")
EDGA’s Mark Taylor helped all the youngsters to experience golf for the first time. Photo: EDGA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\nAimi Bullock, who has been supporting Koalaa\u2019s research with Mark Taylor, said: \u201cThe children are our future of course, for playing this sport. We have had some fantastic feedback from the parents who have said their children are all desperate to get to the driving range and hopefully that means they are going to want to keep playing golf. They were inspired by the whole experience to want to be part of this.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n