Harmison To Defend English Disability Title
Last year’s winner of the English Disability Open Kevin Harmison
Picture by Leaderboard Photography
THE third English Disability Open will return to The Warwickshire Golf Club this weekend, when Northumberland’s Kevin Harmison will defend his title.
The championship is open to golfers with a range of impairments and creates one umbrella event for disabled golf in England. It is co-sanctioned by England Golf and the charity, Balasa Golf.
A total of 45 golfers will compete over the two days on August 25-26, , including a number of players who took part in the European championship for golfers with a disability, sanctioned by the European Golf Association, which was held in Portugal earlier this year.
Competitors include three women, which is encouraging both for the competition and the development of disability golf.
Among the other players is Harmison (Newbiggin) who won on countback last year, and Mike Gays of Brampton Park, Cambridgeshire, who was third in the recent Swedish Invitational.
Golfers, regardless of their impairment, will play in three handicap categories over 36 holes. Category One and Two golfers will compete in stroke play events and Category Three golfers will play a stableford competition.
England Golf’s disability manager Jamie Blair said: “The Warwickshire were fantastic hosts last year.
“I look forward to seeing the golfers take on the challenge of the Kings and Earls courses, especially after the summer we have had.
“It is a great opportunity to show the talent of disabled golfers and showcase their ability above their disability.
“I would like to thank The R&A for their continued support and for the referees and volunteers who have given their time to support the event again.”
Although this is not a European Disabled Golf Association (EDGA) badged event, players holding an EDGA medical pass will be able to count scores from this event for the EDGA Rankings for Disabled Golfers (R4GD)
Spectators are welcome and admission is free. Play starts at 10.32am on Saturday, from the first tee on the Kings Course; on Sunday it’s 8.32am from the 10th on the Earls Course.
