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

EDGA is a not-for-profit volunteer association, which is made up of the National Golf Federations from 31 countries around the world.

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

The post Paul Waring accepts EDGA role as official ambassador for golfers with disabilities appeared first on Golf North.

Money raised at the Portugal Masters will fund the European Disabled Golf Association’s work to get more disabled people playing golf. Picture by GETT IMAGES

THE European Disabled Golf Association is the official charity of this week’s Portugal Masters, which takes place at Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course from October 24-27.

EDGA aims to change the lives of people with disability through the power of golf.

Made up of volunteers from the national golf federations from 29 countries around the world, its objective is to help more than 500,000 people living with a disability to try the sport of golf.

All charitable funds raised by EDGA from tournament draw sheet sales at the Portugal Masters, a longest drive competition sponsored by Golfbreaks, taking place during Wednesday’s pro-am, and a raffle, with some fantastic prizes to be won, will help fund the delivery of training, education and programmes in the country.

The European Tour announced earlier this year its ‘Golfers with Disability’ programme, running, in conjunction with EDGA – two 36-hole tournaments for disabled golfers running alongside two of this season’s biggest Rolex Series events.

The first – the EDGA Scottish Open, won by Irishman Brendan Lawlor – took place alongside the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open, while the second, the EDGA Dubai Finale, will take place on the Friday and Saturday of the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai at Jumeirah Golf Estates, next month.

EDGA president Tony Bennett, who is head of disability and inclusion for the International Golf Federation, said: “EDGA is proud to be the official charity of the Portugal Masters.

“Both locally, and internationally, the support of the European Tour during the last four Portugal Masters continues to transform the lives of people.

“EDGA has a deep connection to Portugal. Over the last six years, 10 tournaments, and diverse development programmes in rehabilitation centres, schools and associations have been delivered in Portugal.

“Funds raised at the Portugal Masters have allowed EDGA to donate equipment, literature and provide training to professionals and coaches throughout the country.

“EDGA is finalising the translation of the book – Mulligan: Tough Love and Second Chances – into Portuguese.

“The backdrop of the Portugal Masters, together with clinics that will operate on the Saturday of the tournament are powerful testaments to the ability of players with impairments and showcase the positive impact of the game.”

Portugal Masters championship director Peter Adams said: “We are proud to partner with EDGA once again as the official charity of the Portugal Masters.

“Tony and the team at EDGA have done a wonderful job of raising awareness of disability golf in the country over the last six years, and we are delighted to welcome them back to Dom Pedro Victoria later this month.”

The European Tour and the European Disabled Golf Association have worked together for more than 10 years, but the relationship with the Portugal Masters only started in 2016.

“Initially a phone-call from the Associação Turismo do Algarve was the catalyst for this as EDGA was invited to be the nominated charitable organisation.

“Over the last four years the relationship between the European Tour, the Portugal Masters and EDGA has flourished.”

Mr Bennett added: “It is a natural fit for these three entities to work together – golf is the magnet that brings them together, and helping people with disability to enjoy the proven benefits of the game is a shared vision.”

•For more information about EDGA visit www.edgagolf.com.

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