Golfers With Disabilities Given PGA Opportunity

A talented amputee golfer has hailed a move by The PGA to help those with disabilities to pursue a career in golf by qualifying as PGA Professionals.

Six handicapper Chris Foster from Bishop's Stortford, who lost his leg to bone cancer and has long held an ambition to become a PGA Professional,
described the news as incredible.

''This is incredible news for not only current disabled golfers but also those with disabilities who are yet to take up the game,'' said Foster who plays his golf at East Herts.

From 2016 talented golfers, who meet the revised golf handicap requirement and work in golf, will be able to enrol on the PGA's three
year training programme.

The move follows consultation with the European Disabled Golf Associationto establish a framework of equivalent entry level handicaps for golfers
with disability from various impairment groups.

''A common thread across all the very best players, regardless of their abilities or disabilities, is the struggle they have gone through to achieve their potential,'' said EDGA president Tony Bennett who is a PGA Master Professional.

A high performing able-bodied player may reach a lower handicap than an equally high performing player who plays with a physical, intellectual or
sensory impairment. The PGA recognises this and so are leading the way with this initiative.

PGA Fellow Professional, Craig Thomas, a member of EDGA's sports committee and coordinator of the ISPS Handa Academy programme which
trains pros to coach disabled golfers, has described the decision as a massive step for disabled golf.

''Just because you have a disability doesn¹t mean you can't be a good coach, a good club pro or club manager,'' said Thomas who runs The Golf
Academy at Oxley Park Golf Club in Staffordshire.

''The decision marks a new era for the PGA and falls in line with everything it has been trying to do to make golf more accessible.''