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NINE players from eight countries have qualified for the EDGA Scottish Open, the new 36-hole tournament for Golfers with Disability.
The ground-breaking event will run alongside the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club in North Berwick, next month.
Nine players from the World Rankings for Golfers with Disability (WR4GD) have qualified from four pre-determined categories, with one wildcard invitation to be confirmed shortly to complete the field.
The event will be staged on July 13-14 – over the weekend of one of the European Tour’s biggest events of the year.
The Renaissance Club will host the EDGA Scottish Open during the third Rolex Series event on the 2019 Race to Dubai, continuing the drive for inclusivity within golf as players tackle the same course setup as the European Tour pro’s.
The season-ending DP World Tour Championship, Dubai will host a second tournament at Jumeirah Golf Estates, in November. It will be a similar model, but the tournament will be played on November 22-23, with eight players.
The events in Scotland and Dubai will be run in conjunction with the EDGA (European Disabled Golf Association).
Scoring for both tournaments will feature on the European Tour’s website and app for fans to follow, while highlights of both contests will form part of the world feed broadcast.
The winner in Scotland will also take part in the main prize-giving ceremony on Sunday afternoon.
European Tour chief executive Keith Pelley said: “It was one of the proudest moments of my time so far at the European Tour to announce we would be working alongside EDGA to offer golfers with a disability the opportunity to play competitive tournaments alongside two of our most high-profile events.
“I am delighted to welcome the initial nine players into the field for the EDGA Scottish Open, and I have no doubt they will relish the test at The Renaissance Club.
“This event is a watershed moment, as we work, alongside the EDGA, towards our aspirational goal of a ‘Golfers with Disability World Tour’ by 2021.”
EDGA president and IGF head of disability and inclusion Tony Bennett said: “The announcement of these two exciting events in Scotland and Dubai, in collaboration with the European Tour, is already proving to be a game changer.
“Golf has the potential to be the most inclusive game of all, and we have seen a rapid increase in interest for the integration of individuals with disability into participation and competition programmes.
“As we prepare for the EDGA Scottish Open, we have already seen demand for a range of new initiatives, including school awareness programmes, a pop-in women’s event at the Home of Golf, St Andrews, demonstration events in rehabilitation centres, and of course more applications for national and regional tournaments.
“These developments indicate the reach the European Tour has, and the growing interest from people of all abilities and from all backgrounds in the game.”
Entry List – 2019 EDGA Scottish Open
Category 1: Leading six available players from World Rankings for Golfers with Disability (WR4GD) week 20.George Groves – England
Brendan Lawlor – Ireland
Adem Wahbi – Belgium
Geoff Nicholas – Australia
Shane Luke – Australia
Juan Postigo Arce – Spain
Category 2: Leading home nation player in WR4GD
Paul Ellison – Scotland
Category 3: USGA nominated player
Christopher Biggins (USA)
Category 4 – Golf RSA nominated player
Reinard Schuhknecht – South Africa
- The Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open is being played for the first time at The Renaissance Club – which was founded in 2008 and nestles on 300 picturesque acres along the Firth of Forth
- Scotland’s national open is the perfect day out for all the family, with fantastic food and drink outlets in the championship village as well as retail experiences and entertainment for all ages
- Fans can buy tickets to see some of the world’s best golfers – including official Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open hospitality packages – at www.asiscottishopen.com
