PING supports European Disabled Golf Association (EDGA)

Globally respected club manufacturer PING is supporting a new major international project which aims to raise awareness of ‘remarkable’ people with disabilities who reach their personal potential with the help of golf.

Launched by the European Disabled Golf Association (EDGA), the project is a series of recorded and written interviews with ‘Golfers First’ – people who refuse to be defined by their disabilities.

The interviews are expected to create interest among golf lovers and a much wider audience, but another a key objective is to encourage people of all ages who have a disability to demonstrate positive outcomes and that social support and personal growth through golf can be achieved.

The first ‘Profiles’ share a determination among players to conquer limitations imposed by serious disability, life-changing illnesses or dramatic accidents.

Through the learning and playing of golf and the camaraderie found in the EDGA community, many of these golfers have battled through traumatic times and enhanced their lives. “Golf saved/improved my life” has already been a common view.

Mark Taylor, Development Manager for EDGA, said: “The subjects of these interviews continually point to the redemptive power of golf – helping to pull them through their darkest hours to a point where they are loving life again.

“We hope this project can encourage other people who may be at the start of a difficult journey after personal trauma, to help them know they are not alone and how sport and friendship – in this case through golf – can make a tremendous difference.

“We are delighted that PING has chosen to put their support behind this. It is a company that clearly cares about people and its backing will help us widen our reach through these personal stories.”

PING has supported EDGA for the last three years, during which time its technical staff have worked with EDGA players, offering club-fitting advice during tournaments and providing free custom-fitting for players at PING’s Gainsborough headquarters.

PING has also supported EDGA with the Ranking for Golfers with Disability (R4GD), which is now established as the most democratic and meaningful ranking in the world of golf for the disabled.

John Clark, Managing Director of PING Europe Ltd, commented: “PING is proud to extend our support of golf for the disabled through our links with EDGA and the Battle Back Golf programme.

“Our ability to make and adapt equipment for a variety of disabilities is unique in the golf industry and allows us to make the game inclusive to all people wanting to play the sport.”

‘EDGA Profiles supported by PING’ can now be viewed by clicking here. Interviews will be made available to sport, lifestyle, health and ‘human interest’ media internationally as a free resource to demonstrate the benefits of golf for people with a disability.

The first two EDGA Profiles supported by PING feature Aleš Süsser and Jose Bagnarelli. Five more such profiles are currently being produced which are also supported by PING.

If you would like to share your player story with EDGA, or if you know someone with a good story then please contact Tony Bennett at t.bennett@edgagolf.com