Paul Waring (right) with a member of the EDGA at one of the European Tour events
EUROPEAN Tour star Paul Waring has signed up to officially represent EDGA – the international body that encourages people with disability to thrive through golf.
Waring has been one of the European Tour’s most popular golfers with fans and players alike since he started competing on the Tour in 2008.
The former England Boys captain won his first European Tour title – the 2018 Nordea Masters – in his 200th tournament.
Born in Birkenhead, Paul was on home territory when he first met and played with EDGA golfers while competing in the 2019 Betfred British Masters at Hillside GC.
EDGA players Caroline Mohr, from Sweden, Spain’s Juan Postigo Arce and Ireland’s Brendan Lawlor all said they were inspired by Paul’s encouragement and advice during their pro-am fourball.
Paul joined those players as an ambassador for leading audit, tax and consulting firm RSM, which supports EDGA and shares its vision to encourage 500,000 new players into the game.
The former English Amateur Champion was equally supportive of EDGA players and volunteers during last season’s Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open, and the DP World Tour Championship, in Dubai.
RSM offered free golf lessons from PGA professionals to all spectators with a disability present at the two tournaments, which were part of the high profile Rolex Series.
EDGA president Tony Bennett said: “When I asked Paul if he was interested in a more formal role with EDGA in our aim to grow the game for people with disability, he did not hesitate in saying he’d be delighted to help us.
“We are therefore thrilled to welcome Paul as an official ambassador for EDGA.
“Right from the very first tee shots when he encouraged Caroline, Juan and Brendan at Hillside, we knew he had something special about him.
“Paul and the team at RSM have been highly encouraging as more of our EDGA players have competed in our tournaments staged alongside European Tour events, providing a priceless shop window for our work in raising awareness of inclusive golf internationally.”
Tony added: “We are sure Paul’s reputation as a player and his knowledge of all layers of the sport will assist us greatly in our key aim, which is to encourage people of all ages who have a disability to consider trying golf, while highlighting the power of golf to change lives.”
Waring impressed by players’ talent
Paul, who won the McGregor Trophy at the England U16 Amateur Championship in 2001, said: “I am delighted to become a formal ambassador for EDGA.
“I have had the opportunity to meet and play with a number of their players and I am extremely impressed by their talent.
“I am very honoured to be a part of their journey and to support the work that EDGA is doing to increase the opportunities for those with disabilities within golf.
“I am very excited to be a part of this development within golf.”
GEORGE GROVES CROWNED ENGLISH DISABILITY CHAMPION
The EDGA team provides advice, guidance and standards to all the leading golfing bodies including the International Golf Federation (IGF), The R&A, USGA, European Golf Association (EGA).
They also work closely with the European Tour on the delivery of showcase events involving golfers with disability.
EDGA also offers training to coaches, therapists, volunteers, clubs, and golfers who wish to be more active helping the players.
RSM supports EDGA’s qualifying players in tournaments attached to the European Tour, funding travel requirements and welcoming the golfers as they are meeting, practising alongside and even playing with some of the star names in world golf
The work helps to raise the profile of golf for the disabled to a global audience.
•Former Cheshire Boys champion Paul Waring claimed the English Amateur crown on his home course at Bromborough in 2005, beating Steven Capper 3&2 in the final.
Waring with players from the EDGA at a European Tour event in 2019. The former England Amateur Champion was very impressed by the players’ abilities
