Finale of EDGA Tour in Portugal is inclusive success

The Algarve Tourism Association and EDGA launched the event in 2014

– November 26, 2024 | Text Ben Evans | Photos courtesy of EDGA

The Algarve presented the “perfect setting” for the final tournament of the 2024 EDGA Tour calendar and the 10th EDGA RSM Series Algarve Open at Pestana Vila Sol, Vilamoura, held from November 21-23.

The Algarve Tourism Association and EDGA launched the event in 2014, this becoming a regular feature to complete EDGA’s ‘G4D’ (golf for the disabled) season for golfers who have a range of physical, neurological, intellectual and sensory impairments.

A full field of 72 players from 15 nations gathered to enjoy the tournament, which has become well-known for providing an exciting competitive test but in a highly welcoming and inclusive atmosphere for all the players, especially those attending an international event for the first time.

“Due to the high quality field of players, the beautiful surroundings and the warmest of welcomes we always receive from the Pestana Vila Sol team, the EDGA Algarve Open has become a much-loved tournament for golfers with a disability,” said EDGA President Dr Tony Bennett.

“Vila Sol and the Algarve Tourism Association came forward in 2014 to help create the first EDGA Algarve Open. We only had 30 players, and yet the atmosphere was so good that since then we have had a full field of 72 players and a lot of reserves every year. This event has become a perfect setting that blends competition with a wonderful feeling of inclusion. Many of these golfers have helped to shape the history of the tournament and always welcome and encourage players who are new to experiencing international events. Several world number ones played their first G4D tournament at the EDGA Algarve Open and, as such, we can truly state that golf can change the lives of people with disability. It’s a game everyone should take a look at, from simply putting and chipping to the longer, full game.”

Tony Bennett added: “Vila Sol offers a great advertisement for the Algarve to players and their families, while the EDGA golfers create an excellent showcase for how people with a disability can reach their potential in a chosen sport.

“The EDGA staff and volunteers enjoy seeing how much the players clearly love their experience at the Algarve Open year after year. We’d like to thank all at Vila Sol for their excellent support once again.”

There were trophies in three divisions to play for: Gross, Net and Stableford, with golfing handicaps ranging from ‘scratch’ (0.0) to 35. There were also prizes for leading female players in all categories which this year were presented to Ireland’s Fiona Gray (Gross), France’s Melody Roccaz (Net), and Giulia Marabotti of Italy (Stableford).

In the Gross category, Sweden’s Rasmus Lia played consistent and assured golf, compiling rounds of 74 and 72 for a +2 score of 146, to win by five shots over France’s Thomas Colombel, while fellow countryman Emmanuel Aubert finished a further eight shots back.

In the Net category, it went right to the wire with Melody Roccaz of France pushing last year’s winner England’s Ian Dixon shot for shot, but Ian prevailed by a single stroke with a final total of +1 to win his second title in a row, with Melody finishing +2, and 2022 champion, Welshman Dylan Baines, being another four shots back in third.

Gregorio Guglielminetti of Italy finished on a Par score for his two rounds in the Stableford division to beat his good friend and countryman Fabrizio Gardiol by three shots, with leading female player in the category Giulia Marabotti, also of Italy, finishing third.

This tournament was certainly one where the players enjoyed the social side and fun on the course, as well as focusing completely on the competition. An example of both in action was seeing smiling local player Jorge Gabriel flying a large flag of Portugal on his buggy, which was well received.

The event is one of more than 120 tournaments which EDGA runs, badges or supports in the year. These are central to the ‘player pathway’ which helps people with a disability to sample the game for the first time, play regularly, and/or seek to compete at all levels, including landmark tournaments such as The G4D Open (staged by The R&A in partnership with the DP World Tour), the G4D Tour (staged by the DP World Tour), the European Individual and Team Championships (European Golf Association), and the RSM European Play-offs; all supported by EDGA.

During this year’s tournament, EDGA’s leading research in G4D was further boosted by the capturing of performance data to gain further understanding of how golfers with a disability maximise their performance; detailed work at this event focusing on short-game and bunker play, with the provision of a short-game clinic for players and coaches.

EDGA is an international not-for-profit association which works with 50 National Golf Federations from around the world, and provides advice, guidance and standards to leading golfing bodies, including The IGF, The R&A, and The EGA.

The staging of the EDGA Algarve Open was made possible once again thanks to supporters of EDGA, including The R&A, European Tour Group, RSM, PING, Srixon, and Ottobock.

Find out more at www.edgagolf.com

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