EDGA, formerly the European Disabled Golf Association, has created a new role specifically to grow women and girls golf
EDGA has taken a fresh strategic approach to the women’s game with the appointment of Aimi Bullock as its Director of Women’s Golf. Aimi, who is a volunteer member of the association’s Board, is responsible for growing the game further among women and girls with a disability.
EDGA continues to focus on the importance of making golf a viable sporting option for more women as it seeks to encourage 500,000 new people with a disability to join the game.
The not-for-profit body provides advice, guidance and standards to leading golfing bodies, including The IGF, The R&A, and the DP World Tour, with a membership made up of 39 National Golf Federations from around the world. EDGA is the knowledge hub on G4D (golf for the disabled), supporting players as they engage with the game, navigate the barriers for entry, thus facilitating a more accessible sport.
Aimi is an experienced member of the EDGA Board of Directors and takes on her new role after serving as Director of Development for three years.
The R&A Women in Golf Charter
EDGA was one of the earliest signatories of The R&A’s Women in Golf Charter and selected Aimi and fellow EDGA Board member Manon Eggermont (Director of the EDGA Tournament Team) to join the first cohort of The R&A Women in Golf Leadership programme in 2019.
EDGA President Tony Bennett said: “Even though golf has made a significant improvement in the number of women and girls participating in the game, we all must do better. With Aimi’s analytical skills, lived experience of being a woman in golf, and her position on the Board of EDGA, she can now better shape the offer that G4D makes to women and girls. I am sure that Aimi will provide EDGA and many of our key stakeholders with relevant and timely advice on what women and girls want and need for their full, and quality participation in golf.”
EDGA and its partners are determined to encourage more female players onto the player pathway, whether this is as a ‘sampler’ (starter), spectator, participant or as a regular competitive player who can take part in around 120 international tournaments badged or supported by EDGA, including at the highest level, the G4D Tour and The G4D Open.
Looking at the existing female golf community
Aimi Bullock said: “All at EDGA are very keen to see golf become more accessible, appealing and welcoming to female players with a disability. This includes working and communicating with everyone in the game to be able to better identify opportunities for female players, from developing better grass roots programmes and coaching for players with disability, to ensuring their inclusion in more individual and team competitions.
“Further positive progress is needed across the sport for female players and I’m delighted that I’ll be able to encourage more women and girls with a disability to reach their potential through golf, while ensuring they are treated with equity and respect on this journey.
“Raising awareness of this opportunity will be an area of focus over the coming months as I look to collaborate across the golf industry, while reaching out to more local community organisations on the health benefits of golf and looking to increase participation at the grass roots, especially with juniors.”
Aimi added: “I also believe we need to look to the existing female golf community. I know from personal experience that there are women with a disability out there already playing golf, unaware of the amazing G4D community with the opportunities to participate and potentially compete in tournaments.”
At present, statistics show that just over 9% of golfers who are registered for a playing pass in G4D are girls and women.
Making golf more inclusive for players everywhere
Tony Bennett added: “This needs to change as we have a great deal of anecdotal and increasingly peer-reviewed empirical evidence, that golf has helped provide a sporting identity and social inclusion for a great many players who have enhanced their lives through the opportunity to take part in a physical activity that is generally played in the outdoors, in a natural environment in the company of others. We have already started some positive action programmes to encourage more women to take part in G4D events at the highly visible elite level. I am sure that Aimi will put more actions on the table so we can help the wider sport to be more inclusive for players everywhere.”
Building on announcements back in 2023, the G4D Tour, run by the DP World Tour, is supporting EDGA by offering increased opportunity for female athletes, with two female players guaranteed spots in each 10-player event (players qualify through the World Ranking for Golfers with Disability). Meanwhile, the European Golf Association and EDGA are supporting golf federations to ensure that for the European Team Championship in July each nation taking part can present a mixed team.
When not carrying out her role for EDGA, Aimi is also a passionate golfer herself and following a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis in 2013, became an EDGA registered player. Aimi plays off a current golf handicap of eight and has represented England in G4D golf.
EDGA seeks to change the lives of people with disability through the power of golf. Supporters of EDGA include The R&A, European Tour group, Ryder Cup European Development Trust, RSM, PING, Srixon, Dreams, Golfbidder and Ottobock.
If you're interested in finding out more about EDGA please visit their website and to contact Aimi directly email [email protected]
