England Golf opens a route to competitive golf for more than 120 disabled players

A series of events in England has given disabled golfers a clearer picture of how to move from recreational play towards competitive opportunities. More than 120 golfers attended four England Golf Performance Experience Days, according to the national governing body. England Golf published its summary on 12 October 2026, the day after the final event in Leeds.

What the experience days offered

These were introductions to the Disability Performance Pathway, England Golf's development route for golfers with disabilities who are interested in improving their competitive game. Rather than presenting participation as a selection trial, the events let players speak directly with members of the England Golf Disability Performance Team, discuss individual ambitions and find out where to seek guidance.

Attendees could also learn about the opportunity to obtain an EDGA Player Pass, which is relevant to disability golf competition. An opportunity to apply should not be confused with a pass being issued: the governing body did not say that all attendees received one or disclose a total number of passes awarded.

A four-stop programme in England

The first day took place at Chesfield Downs in Hertfordshire on 2 August, followed by The Warwickshire on 3 August. Sherfield Oaks in Hampshire hosted the third stop on 6 September, while The Manor in Leeds hosted the closing event on 11 October.

All four venues are in England. The initiative should therefore be reported under England's golf jurisdiction, not presented as a programme operating across Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

International success as inspiration

England Golf brought trophies from its recent successes at the European Team Championships in Italy to the experience days. Players and family members could see the trophies and speak with the people involved in the national pathway — a connection between elite achievement and practical entry points.

Tom Dobson, England Golf's disability manager, said in the federation's report that meeting aspiring players helps the organisation understand their experiences and identify where development support may be useful. The objective extends beyond celebrating medals: it is about making the route to competitive disability golf more visible and approachable.

What has — and has not — been established

England Golf confirmed four completed events and more than 120 participants. It did not report how many subsequently entered squads, qualified for competitions or obtained EDGA Player Passes. Attending an experience day does not itself constitute national-team selection or a promised sporting outcome.

The wider significance is a decentralised introduction to competitive golf for players with disabilities. By holding events at multiple English clubs, the federation enabled people in different areas to meet development staff rather than requiring every initial conversation to take place at a single headquarters.

Primary source: England Golf, “Disabled golfers inspired by Performance Experience Days,” published 12 October 2026: https://www.englandgolf.org/news-detail?newsarticleid=1605. Corroborating report: Love Live Golf, 13 October 2026: https://lovelivegolf.com/england-golf-performance-experience-days/. Facts checked 25 October 2026.

Image note: the archived 2015 view of Chesfield Downs shows one of the programme's venues, not participants or activities from 2026.