The Scottish Disability Golf Partnership (SDGP) has just concluded the 2nd Pan-Disabled Open Golf Championship at Scotscraig Golf Club Tayport and Wellsgreen Academy, Kirkcaldy, where over one hundred golfers took part in four days of golf from Sunday 5 to Wednesday 8 September.

Open competitors and novices got the event underway on Sunday 5 September, at the Wellsgreen Academy with a PGA supervised golf day of lessons, practice and on-course golf.  Over sixty people took part in this free session, sponsored by Fife Council's Community Investment Scheme, Culture 2010 Programme and Awards for All.  

The Head PGA Professional at Wellsgreen, Donald McKay, said, "We had lots of differing disabilities for this latest training day, including mobility issues, but what impresses our PGA team here most, is the banter and camaraderie between the golfers and their coaches".  That evening the Provost of Fife Frances Melville provided a meal for the Open competitors and sponsors of the event at Scotscraig Golf Club and over 50 attended the Welcome Dinner.

On Monday 6 September the SDGP held a Cel-am competition for over 40 golfers and sponsors and were joined by Murdo Fraser MSP and several other local dignitaries and guests to play a fun stableford round.

Murdo Fraser said, "It is excellent to have the 2010 Scottish Pan-Disability Open Golf Championship take place at Scotscraig Golf Club in Tayport and is a welcome boost to the local economy.  The scenery at Scotscraig makes for a stunning backdrop for what will be a top tournament being put on by the SDGP.  The SDGP were the first group in the UK to host an all inclusive pan-disability golf event and I congratulate everyone involved in putting on these magnificent events.  We in this country are fortunate to have an organisation such as SDGP who do so much to promote sport for all people with any disability and give them the necessary support.  Organising massive events such as an Open is not an easy task and I would like to thank everyone involved in putting on the Open."

Team Winners in the 2010 Cel-am sponsored by buyit4golf.com were 1st Team players Derek Milne of Fife, Gordon Dickson of Edinburgh, Paul Cunningham of London and Donald McKay of Wellsgreen. 2nd Team players were Ian White of Airdrie, Ruairidh Deans of Fife, Colin Brock of Fife and Jim Davidson of Glasgow.

Jim Gales, the Chairman of the SDGP said, "It was great that Murdo agreed to come along to our Open, along with other dignitaries, local supporters and sponsors and help us publicise disabled golf.  We want to get the message out there that the SDGP is the best outlet for all disabled people, whether they are beginners, hackers, or the more established competitive golfer".

Tuesday 7 September was one day everyone wanted to try and forget when the weather turned nasty and the golf had to be cancelled, the course was closed and even the Open hotel in Dundee was flooded. Everyone had to be content with an evening barbecue thanks to Paul and Val Shepherd of Tayport who provided their facilities.  Gazebo's and a conservatory had to be utilised to gain some cover from the weather but some good Scottish hospitality and a cosy atmosphere cheered up the players and coaches.

The Open was therefore reduced in length and the final day saw our colleagues from the Lothian's Golf Association bring their volunteers and event caravan into business, acting as Starter Referee and spotters out on the course.

Sidey Ltd sponsored the main event trophies and they were presented by Val Shepherd to the following winners of the 2nd Pan-Disability Open Golf Championship 2010

Overall net Champion

1st Colin Brock of Fife 68
2nd Steve Haxton of Perth 69
3rd Paul Cunningham of London 70
4th Derek Milne of Fife 71

Overall Gross Results

1st Kevin Harmison of Newcastle 76
2nd Ian White of Airdrie 86
3rd Andrew McDonald of Lancashire 86
4th Gary Gardner of Edinburgh 88

Overall Stableford Results

1st Steve Bramwell of Johnstone 35 points
2nd Willy McEwan of Fife 34points
3rd Bob Drysdale of Fife 34 points
4th Jim Davidson of Glasgow 33 points

Heinz Barnbeck who travelled to the Open from Bavaria, Germany said, "I have never been to Scotland before and to play at this course, which is a qualifying course for the Open is a great privilege. It is in magnificent condition and I have met a lot of new golfers and long-term friends.  I will be taking many great memories home with me and will look forward very much to coming back again."

Adrian Canny who attended the event from Ireland with his sighted guide and Dad Gerard said, "What a great course to play and so close to St Andrews.  We had never heard of Scotscraig before coming to the Open, so its one we will want to come back to in the future.  The SDGP have laid on a great event for us folks and if we can get some funding together for next year, we would love to put something like this on at home."

About SDGP:

The Scottish Disability Golf Partnership is now a Registered Scottish Charity and 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.

The SDGP has evolved rapidly in recent years and provides golf training and competition for many hundreds of people and is this year targeting youngsters and junior members in an attempt to introduce them to the game.   We have encountered many new health conditions and mobility problems and want to encourage anyone to come and have a go as such problems should not be a barrier to playing golf.

The Open was preceded by a free PGA supervised golf training day, at Wellsgreen near Kirkcaldy.  The SDGP provided a 30-minute lesson, practise facilities, golf on the adjacent course and catering to participants on Sunday 5 September.

The event was hosted by Scotscraig Golf Club, which is the 13th oldest golf club in the world and a qualifying course for The Open.

For more information, please contact Jim Gales on 01334 650963 or 07903 596552.