From the first visually impaired golfer to the first South American competitor, the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters will demonstrate the ever-expanding influence of the G4D (Golf for the Disabled) Tour.
Since the launch of the G4D Tour in 2022, tournaments have been held around the world, championing the ability of disability golfers in the same week as DP World Tour professionals.
Held over Real Club de Golf Sotogrande, the Spain-based event marks the penultimate tournament on the 2023/24 schedule, which concludes at next month’s G4D Tour Series Finale in Dubai.
The event is the second net tournament for golfers with a disability, after it was introduced for the first time earlier this year in Ras Al Khaimah to further playing opportunities from a wider spectrum of disabilities.
As ever, the ten-strong field – composing of eight men and two women – all have their inspiring stories, with eight players set for their debut in a regular G4D Tour event.
Ahead of the two-day strokeplay tournament getting underway on Monday, we guide you through those preparing to tee it up and hear about their excitement at competing on this platform.
Mette Havnaas
Outside of The G4D Open, Mette Havnaas is the first golfer with a visual impairment to play in the G4D Tour series staged by the DP World Tour and EDGA. The Norwegian first began playing the game in 2019, more than two decades after Stevens-Johnson syndrome - an autoimmune skin reaction - led to an infection which affected her vision. By 2000, she took the decision to have her left eye surgically removed, and a prosthetic eye put in place. But it was only when she had surgery to create a membrane over her right eye that the pain she had for so long fought against was eased. As a result, her vision is limited to only shadows and bright light. But in a sign of her resilience, she has climbed to the Annapurna base camp alongside her husband – now her guide on the course – and is now hoping to scale different heights in golf. “I started open-minded, I didn’t know what I’d think,” she says. “But it was a good feeling, and great fun! I am a relatively stubborn person who thinks that anything is possible. I've been busy doing the things I did before I went blind – some things now just take a little longer.”
Joshua Exequiel Riccardo
“Golf is the reason for my life, golf is everything. I work to play golf, and I live to play golf.” Those are the words of fellow G4D Tour debutant Joshua Riccardo. Born in Argentina, he is the first South American to compete in these limited field events. First introduced to the sport by his uncles as a six-year-old, he has overcome cerebral palsy to emerge as one of the top-ranked disability golfers in the world since first discovering his national G4D events in 2022. With a degree in human resources, the 28-year-old works in that field in his homeland, playing out of Golf Jockey Club Santa Rosa.
Robin Singh
At 67, Robin Singh is the oldest player in the field. He is also the only player with a G4D Tour victory to his name having won the inaugural net tournament in Ras Al Khaimah in January. Having been inspired to play the game like so many others around the world by Seve Ballesteros, his passion for the sport took a hit for a decade after a car accident in 1991 resulted in his right leg being amputated above the knee, only for a chance meeting in a supermarket with a fellow injured player to encourage him to return to playing. “My life changed when I became disabled but I didn't let this hinder my life," he reflects. "I accepted it and adapted with this condition because life must go on. Golf has helped me physically and mentally because I can deal with my disability both on and off the course.”
Jose Bagnarelli
In his long and varied career, sound expert and broadcaster José Bagnarelli has interviewed the likes of Frank Zappa, Muhammad Ali and Magic Johnson. All the while, golf has become central to the Italian's life. In 1986, he sustained a severely damaged right arm and hand, including losing fingers, in a motorbike crash. Around 20 years later he took up golf after an elderly English stranger extolled the virtues of the game over a drink. Now 65, he is considered a counsel by many G4D Tour players, who he in turn sees as his golfing heroes. “All of these golfers play superb golf which is above all the result of their hard work and determination, regardless of their disability; which in most cases is much worse than mine," he says. Coming into the tournament as the World Number Two and top-ranked player in the field, his son Bruno will be on his bag for the event.
Guy Harrison
Aged just three, Guy Harrison suffered a seizure which almost killed him, leaving him with brain damage and cerebral palsy. Doctors predicted he wouldn't be able to walk, run, cycle or swim and he would spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair but he has proven them wrong. A recent graduate in Sport & Exercise Science, the 23-year-old New Zealander says he loves the competitive side of the sport but also discovering new courses, having now played 218 courses so far. “Golf is my true love… Through golf, I felt ‘normal’ and was treated no differently than the other golfers, which was great," he says. “The coolest thing is that my caddie for the event is my Dad who is the person who helped me get into golf. Who knows how I will play but it will be great to have him on the bag, and I just couldn't ask for a better caddie.”
Mathieu Lebon
One of two French competitors in action in Spain, Mathieu Lebon was in a motorbike crash in 2013 which led to above-the-knee amputation of his left leg. He cites Manuel De Los Santos, a former professional baseball hopeful from the Dominican Republic, who also lost his leg in a traffic accident and went on to play golf as his source of inspiration. “I actually met Manuel during my first golf for the disabled competition in 2014,” he explains. “I loved our exchange there and it really motivated me to continue.” In 2016, Lebon won the EDGA Algarve Open, which he cites as his best victory to date. Now, ranked inside the top ten in the world, he adds: “I do not expect to become the best player with a disability… but after what happened to me, I prefer to enjoy every moment and have a great time on the golf course. And, having a competitive spirit, it's really good to be able to play at the ‘high level’ despite the physical difference.”
Riccardo Bianciardi
One of only two players in the field with G4D Tour experience, the Italian is looking to better his third-place finish in Ras Al Khaimah in January. Bianciardi was born with the neurological condition focal cortical dysplasia, resulting in a weakened mobility on the right side. Describing his first steps in the game “as love at first sight”, he has become a winner of EDGA events, including on home soil. After undergoing two kidney operations since 2018, he is now fully embracing the rewards the sport has given him. “Golf is my rebirth where I have found personal growth, learning never to give up and remain patient,” he says. Despite his limited expectations heading into the week in Spain, confidence should be high having represented Italy in the EGA’s European Nations’ Cup in Germany in July.
Davide Fasci
An international team-mate of Bianciardi, the Italian has congenital musculoskeletal challenges that have affected his right shoulder and arm for many years, limiting his range of motion and requiring surgery. Now aged 51, his delight in golf never leaves him, calling the sport “his crazy passion”. “The sport of golf has helped me enormously,” he says. “I’m a competitive person and with the issue with my shoulder I thought I couldn’t play sport at a competitive level. Thanks to G4D, EDGA and the Italian Golf Federation, I have learned that I can.” In 2021, Fasci started in EDGA tournaments, winning on the EDGA Portugal Swing in Amendoeira, and the EDGA Giovanni Nasi International in Italy in 2023. Fellow G4D Tour winner Tommaso Perrino is one of his national team coaches.
Alexia Girault
Paralysed due to a tumour in her spinal cord at the age of 30, G4D Tour debutant Alexia Girault is another example of someone rising above her challenges to pursue dreams. "Golf is a disabled-friendly sport, the ball is static, and it's magical to see people who think they can't play sport, but discover that golf is possible," she says. A recent winner of the G4D’s end-of-season RSM European Net Play-offs staged by EDGA at North Hants Golf Club in England after a dramatic five-hole sudden death play-off, she now arrives in Spain with joy at the opportunity to further her progress in the sport. She adds: "Playing on a course of this quality and specially prepared for a DP World Tour tournament is a dream for most golfers.” When not competing and practising, France's Girault also volunteers to help others start playing golf at Golf Club Agen Bon-Encontre in her homeland.
Steven Alderson
Steven Alderson arrives full of confidence after winning the South Australian All Abilities Championship by three shots (rounds of 80-77) over the field at Kooyonga in late September. The 44-year-old from Aldinga Beach, Adelaide, has been collecting some great wins in recent times, announcing himself to a wider golf audience with victory in the 2020 South Australian Mid Amateur Men's Championship, and last year winning the Webex Players Series South Australia. Playing out of Willunga Golf Course, at the time of writing Alderson, who is autistic and in sport class Intellectual 2, was ranked number 10 in the Net World Ranking and 37 in the Gross Ranking, playing off a golf handicap of 1.4. Supported by Golf Australia and a Scholar on the Webex Players Series All Abilities Programme, Steven also likes to support others, notably caddying in the ISPS HANDA Women's Australian Open of 2016.
