The European Disabled Golf Association (EDGA), an international non-profit organisation for golfers with disabilities, has been selected as the Official Charity of the Portugal Masters for the second consecutive year.
More than €22,500 was raised during the 2016 Portugal Masters, which helped EDGA to train 20 PGA of Portugal professionals to engage with people with disabilities and encourage them to try the game.
The funds also assisted EDGA to begin several projects in the Algarve and one in Lisbon, with additional projects planned in Lisbon and Oporto. The partnership with the 2016 Portugal Masters also helped to promote elite disabled golf by helping to support the European Team Championships at Quinta do Lago earlier this summer.
EDGA supports a wide range of projects and associations in Portugal, including:
- An association for the blind and weak sighted
- An association which gives vocational training to individuals who have mental disabilities
- A school for children with special needs, mental disabilities and social issues
- A sanctuary where children with disabilities and their parents can spend a few days away from home on a mini break to recharge their batteries and receive help from volunteer care givers.
- A rehabilitation centre for people with physical and mental disabilities
The partnership during this year’s event at Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course in Vilamoura from September 21-24 will help EDGA to accelerate existing projects and add several more, including further training for volunteers and professionals, and support for a national project for golf for the disabled.
Fundraising opportunities during the week include the opportunity for spectators to purchase raffle tickets for a grand prize draw, with fantastic prizes donated by the sponsors of the Portugal Masters, and all proceeds going to EDGA. Spectators can also donate €1 each to EDGA in return for the daily draw sheet, plus there will be activity in conjunction with golfbreaks.com during Wednesday’s pro-am.
Elite disabled golfers will be on site over the weekend to play the 18th hole on Saturday afternoon, and get involved in the long drive exhibition on Sunday.
Peter Adams, Championship Director of the Portugal Masters, said: “We are delighted to be able to support the European Disabled Golf Association for the second year.
“It’s wonderful to see how the funding raised through last year’s tournament has assisted and created projects that help individuals with impairment to enjoy golf. The work carried out by EDGA across Portugal, Europe and on a global scale makes a real difference, and I encourage spectators attending the Portugal Masters this year to contribute to this very worthy cause.”
Tony Bennett, Director of Education and Membership of the PGAs of Europe and President of the European Disabled Golf Association, said: “The opportunity to be the chosen charity of the Portugal Masters is an incredible honour for EDGA.
“In a country where the number of golfers with a disability can be counted in the tens rather than hundreds or thousands, the projects that we are embarking on will make a huge difference, not only in the lives of disabled people but also in the wider game of golf.
“It is with sincere gratitude that we thank all those involved in the Portugal Masters for making this possible and allowing us to extend the work that we commenced last year."
Formed in 2000, EDGA is uniquely positioned to support the expansion of initiatives which promote the development, support and delivery of golf for individuals with impairment across Europe.
The association is made up of the national governing bodies from 23 countries. Although EDGA is primarily focused on Europe, organisations from around the world regularly reference the EDGA for direction, advice and more specifically the definitions of impairment, eligibility and tournament criteria.
Fans can purchase tickets for the 2017 Portugal Masters ateuropeantour.com/tickets
