The European Individual Championship for Golfers with Disability taking place in Sweden (August 28-30) is set to be the most competitive and inclusive yet for a tournament that continues to grow in significance in the international schedule.
Staged by the European Golf Association (EGA), the championship will welcome 100 players from 20 countries to tee-off on the beautiful but challenging tree-lined golf course of Bokskogens Golfklubb, near Malmö, in the south of the country.
Competitors from afield as Australia, South Africa, the Dominican Republic and Jordan will join the European players for three 18-hole rounds of Gross Stroke Play over three days.
Staged by the EGA since 2018, this tournament has risen to be among the finest in the ‘G4D’ (golf for the disabled) landscape, supported by EDGA, the acknowledged international authority on G4D. The ‘European Individual’ is staged in the alternate years to the similarly now established EGA European Team Championship, with both tournaments first played as EDGA events back in 2010.
Top competition and inclusive change
As part of EDGA’s broader goals, the event aims to raise awareness about golf for the disabled and inspire more people to take up the sport. This championship aims to promote both high-level competition and social change in the world of golf.
All G4D registered players present feature in one of four sport bands made up from nine sport classes developed by EDGA, covering all impairments across Standing, Seated, Visual and Intellectual categories. The field of male and female players will compete for trophies in each of the four sport bands (a change from the past when there were three trophies: for men’s, women’s and seated players).
Norway’s Mette Havnaas, 57, who has a significant visual impairment, is looking forward to competing for a trophy, supported by her husband Birger who helps as her ‘guide’.
Mette says: “I am very proud and looking forward to representing my club Vestfold GK, and Norway, in Sweden. I think it is incredibly good that more sports bands get the opportunity to participate. I am committed to promoting golf as an inclusive sport for everyone.”
Denmark’s Casper Holst-Christensen, 29, a golfer who has autism, says: “I’m excited to once again be teeing it up in our red and white colours, showing off the skill and dedication to the game we have in Denmark. I enjoy being able to meet like-minded people of different disabilities, competing in the sport that we all love, regardless of what our disabilities are.”
EDGA President Dr Tony Bennett says: “It’s exciting that players from all nine sport classes are able to compete for one of four tournament trophies. Each player has earned their place here on merit and so they all have the ability to play their way to become a champion.
“We are sure this will be a great international tournament staged superbly once again by our friends at the European Golf Association. At the same time as giving everything to win on the fairways, all the players will be helping to build awareness of all the physical and mental health benefits of the game for new players around the world.”
Internationally established players
Daphne van Houten, aged 27 who was born with scoliosis, is a returning champion who has effectively grown up as an elite level competitor during this tournament’s history, winning three individual tournaments and representing the Netherlands in the Team Championship.
Daphne says: “The main thing is to enjoy this great event! Last time winning the European Championship was a very emotional moment for me because I didn’t expect to be able to finish all three rounds due to my health. The most beautiful thing about this tournament (like all other EDGA supported events) is the camaraderie between all the players.”
The tournament’s early history for men was dominated by Spanish player Juan Postigo Arce, who won two championships. But in the last running in 2023 it was Tommaso Perrino from Tuscany who won the tournament for the first time for Italy.
“It’s an honour for me to represent Italy in such an important competition,” says Tommaso, 41, who severely damaged his right leg in a scooter accident aged 17. “The field is certainly difficult, but whoever manages to express themselves best will take home the title.”
Variety of competitors
All sport classes are accommodated in the championship, and Dutch player Richard Kluwen, 53, who has multiple sclerosis, has won three individual titles in the seated division. He says: “It is always an honour to play for my country. The last couple of years I have been able to win this beautiful tournament but I think that this year it will be hard to win. The youth is coming to take my place and that’s the way it’s always been. But I am training hard to be on the top of my game.”
Both the European Golf Association and EDGA have been effusive in their praise of hosts this year, the Swedish Golf Federation, for staging this tournament.
Caroline Huyskes, President of the European Golf Association, offered her best wishes to all the players, officials and supporters, saying:
“The European Golf Association is grateful to the Swedish Golf Federation and to Bokskogens Golfklubb for hosting the 2025 European Championship for Golfers with Disability. I extend a special thanks to EDGA for their ongoing enthusiasm and hard work in organising this amazing championship.
“I am sure that all competitors will enjoy the challenge of the golf course and the friendly rivalry of the event. On a personal note, I have really enjoyed watching several events for golfers with disability and was very impressed by both the level of play as well as the sportsmanship conveyed by the participants.
“My best wishes to all the players, officials and supporters. Play well, enjoy yourselves and I hope that you all will get the chance to make new friendships, which may last a lifetime.”