The Scottish Disability Golf Partnership has just concluded its GolfbloggerUK 2010 Order of Merit Championship for players with a disability and their coaches.  

After a lengthy season, consisting of over two dozen competitions, their final match was held at the celebrated parkland course at Balbirnie Golf Club on Tuesday 5 October.

The day's golf also incorporated a brand new competition alongside the members of the club, with teams being made up of SDGP disabled members, their coaches and various club members.  The newly generated "Challenge Cup" will remain at Balbirnie on display before another challenge match in 2011.

Steve Bramwell the SDGP Secretary said, "This has been a cracking season for all our members and coaches.  We have had lots of single day games, as well as our Open Championship and six free training days for established golfers and beginners.  To finish the season on such a great course as Balbirnie has just put the icing on the cake".

The Balbirnie Results for SDGP players for Tuesday 5 October were: 1st SDGP player Derek Milne of Fife 37 points.  2nd SDGP player Willy McEwan of Fife 35 points.  3rd  SDGP player Bob Drysdale also of Fife 33 points.

The Balbirnie Results for SDGP Coaches for Tuesday 5 October: 1st SDGP Coach Rob Steel of Glasgow 33 points.  2nd SDGP Coach Stewart Copland of Johnstone 28 points.  3rd SDGP Coach Bill Dickman of Fife 26 points.

Winners of the brand new SDGP Team "Challenge Trophy" with 99 points were: Willy McEwan, Robert Craig, Alan Pratt and Bob Drysdale.

The top 3 SDGP Players for the GolfbloggerUK Order of Merit Championship 2010 were:

1st winning a Stowamatic Electric Golf Trolley was Derek Milne with 241 points
2nd winning 3 Nike Golf Woods was Jim Gales with 227 points
3rd winning a Callaway Golf Wedge was Fraser Paterson with 219 points.

The top 3 SDGP Coaches for the GolfbloggerUK Order of Merit Championship were:

1st winning an STX Golf Putter was Stuart Copland with 213 points
2nd winning whisky sponsored by Phipps PR and a Bionic Golf Glove was Rob Steel with 193 points
3rd winning golf books was Paul Shepherd with 179 points

Stevie Cunningham, an SDGP event organiser said, "The SDGP has had lots of players and coaches taking part in the Order of Merit this year and competition was tough, with the World Team Cup coming to Scotland next year.  There was also some great prizes donated by our sponsors and we must thank them all for supporting the various competitions and games we put on each year".

The Scottish Order of Merit will be utilised for 2011, when the SDGP will for the first time, have the opportunity to host the World Cup, which is the biggest disabled team golf event in the world. Four teams of twelve golfers each, plus their coaches and guides, will compete over four days for the title of World Team Champions.  The Westerwood Hotel & Golf Resort at Cumbernauld will host the event in July 2011, where teams from Scotland, England and Wales will take on a team consisting of disabled golfers from around the world.  The teams will be made up of golfers with varying disabilities, including amputees, cerebral palsy, the blind and numerous other health conditions"

The initial eight automatic selections are listed below and the Captain will have the opportunity to select upt to four other team "wildcard" slots for the event.

1st Derek Milne of Upper Largo Fife 241 points
2nd Jim Gales of Springfield Fife 227 points
3rd Fraser Paterson of Edinburgh 219 points
4th Steve Bramwell of Johnstone 216 points
5th Steve Cunningham of Newton West Lothian 213 points
6th Bob Drysdale of Tayport Fife 204 points
7th Robert Craig of Dunfermline Fife 181 points
8th Willy McEwan of Glenrothes Fife 177 points

The Scottish Disability Golf Partnership is governed and operated by disabled people and is the only group in Scotland which actively encourages and involves anyone of any age, with a disability, serious health problem or mobility issue and their coaches, who wish to play golf and includes amputees, the blind, deaf, those with learning difficulties, downs syndrome, stroke and heart attack victims, wheelchair users and anyone with other similar issues, who wish to learn or play the sport.

Further information about all the SDGP's events, can be found at www.sdgp.co.uk. or by email at info@sdgp.co.uk. or by calling 01334 650 963.