If you’re heading down to Jumeirah Golf Estates this week for the DP World Tour Championship, don’t forget to catch a glimpse of the eight leading golfers with disability at the European Disabled Golf Association (EDGA) Dubai Finale, a 36-hole tournament that will run alongside the European Tour’s season-ending event.
The EDGA Dubai Finale, which will be played on Friday 19 Novembers and Saturday 20 November, will see the players tackle the same course setup as the European Tour professionals at the final Rolex Series event of the season.
Kipp Popert, Brendan Lawlor, Chris Biggins, Kurtis Barkley, Tomasso Perrino, Adem Wahbi, Mike Browne, and Felix Norrman will all be in action on the Earth course this weekend, after they qualified from a pool of 16 players with a range of disabilities – from physical, including neurological, orthopaedic, spinal and limb, to intellectual.
Qualifying was spread across four events including the EDGA Cazoo Open at The Celtic Manor Resort, the ISPS HANDA World Disability Invitational at Massereene and Galgorm Castle, the EDGA Hero Open at Fairmont St Andrews and the EDGA Cazoo Classic at London Golf Club.
“These events mean everything to us,” said Chris Biggins, who win the EDGA Cazoo Classic.
“Growing up we all wanted to be professional golfers and we never realistically had the chance to make it on tour. But now we get to have something major to play for on the biggest stage, and it’s pushing all of us to get better and maybe even one day we’ll have one of us playing on the real tour. We’re so honoured and I can’t wait to play in Dubai.
“Everyone adapts their own way whether they are short stature golfers, or have Cerebral Palsy, or are amputees, we all find a way to get the job done. This is a chance to show that we’re not good golfers with disability, we’re good golfers period.”
Felix Norrman has a complex neurological condition and plays off a +0.6 handicap. His year began by receiving a golfing scholarship from Henrik Stenson in his home country of Sweden.
Norrman said: “These events have meant a lot to me. I think I have grown as a person because I have learned to control my nerves at these big competitions. I was relieved to qualify for Dubai and I will be very excited and nervous to play at the Jumeirah Golf Estates.
“This tournament shows ordinary golfers and professionals that we can also play golf even though we have a neurological or physical disability.”
Kipp Popert, the No.1 disabled golfer in the world, added: “It is a powerful force being at a disadvantage at the start, because you learn that you have to work hard to achieve what you want, be it just getting out of bed in the morning and walking to the shower with your muscles tight. I think it gives you that drive and that work ethic that you can become whatever you want to be in life.
“Just because you have Cerebral Palsy doesn’t mean you can’t achieve anything you want to, it just means you have got to find your way of doing it, and when you do find a way, and when you come through the setback, you’re going to be a more dominant force, including mentally.”
EDGA President and Head of Disability and Inclusion for the International Golf Federation, Tony Bennett, said: “We have recently found greater understanding as to how golf can transform the lives of all who sample, participate, or compete in the game. More and more of our National Golf Federations are getting behind this movement for inclusive change which is fantastic for golfers with disability and the whole golf world too. Everyone will benefit.
“EDGA commends DP World and the European Tour for their shared vision to bring the EDGA Finale under the concluding event of the Race to Dubai at the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai. This Rolex Series event will create a magnificent showcase so that many more people will recognise the abilities of some of the best golfers with disability in the world.”
