As part of Women & Girls Golf Week, today is all about shining a light on inspirational women in golf – like these EDGA superstars.
We recently shared a series of articles written by the EDGA, the international body for disability golf, all about women who have defied the odds to pursue their passions in golf.
Their stories are quite simply incredible.
So when we started to think about what to share as part of Women & Girls Golf Week and today’s theme of role models, we couldn’t think of anything better.
Here’s a quick snippet of five of EDGA’s inspiring women in golf, plus a link to read the full article.
Benedicte Finnema
Benedicte Finnema was 53 years old and like many Norwegians, she loved keeping fit and being an athlete. Then came a serious ski accident in 2016. As she lay in the hospital and then worked through the long hours of rehab before later finally deciding to have her leg amputated, Benedicte was able to first cope, and then take a positive view of the future, by focusing on a unique personal list of paddling a boat on the sea, playing golf on a beautiful course, and walking with her great friend, Ollie.
Benedicte has found a brother-and-sisterhood in golf, and it’s one she loves.
Manon Eggermont
Manon Eggermont is the Director of Tournaments for EDGA. She was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease when she was just 23, which causes arthritis and painful swelling in the spine, knees and other joints.
Manon has since defied all odds, gaining a degree, playing golf and having her two sons – something she was told at the time of her diagnosis was impossible.
Aimi Bullock
Aimi Bullock had a life-changing MS diagnosis just before her 40th birthday – but she hasn't let it hold her back.
She was selected as an EDGA Advocate (a trusted volunteer tasked with encouraging other people with a disability to join the game) and was later invited to use her golf and management experience in joining the EDGA Board as Director of Development. In this role, she has recently helped organise golf days for EDGA players in England, golf development clinics to assist players with an impairment to learn the game, and she has set up – and oversees – a special Facebook page for women players.
Jennie Sräga
German golfer Jennie Sräga was born with Achondroplasia. She plays off a low single-figure handicap, and achieved national team recognition in her home country of Germany before the age of 17-year-old – all despite four operations to correct her legs and ankles.
And it’s not only at golf where Jennie excels: she recently graduated from high school and is now studying for a degree in Pharmacy at the University of Würzburg in Germany.
Monique Kalkman
A bout of mysterious exhaustion led to the discovery of a cancerous tumour on Monique’s spine at the age of 14. Then a budding tennis star, her hopes and dreams were shattered following surgery that left her confined to a wheelchair.
She refused to be defined by her disability, and five years later would go on to win the gold medal in table tennis aged 19.
Ten years after retiring from tennis in 1997, Monique took up golf. She uses a paragolfer, which allows her to play from a standing position. The paragolfer suits a one-handed swing for mobility and rhythm, and today she belts a golf ball with her right arm with the same conviction as she used to belt that tennis ball against the garden wall.
Looking for more like this? You'll like our recent article, Women & Girls Golf Week: Golf and menopause. We'll also be featuring more inspiring stories to celebrate Women & Girls Golf Week all week so watch this space!
