National-team training meets community golf in Liguria
Italy’s men’s and women’s national para-golf squads gathered at Golf Club Albisola, in Albisola Superiore, Liguria, from 23 to 25 October 2026. The Federazione Italiana Golf (FIG) combined elite training, public participation and competition across a three-day programme. The federation reported on the gathering on 26 October, while Rai 3 TGR Liguria independently covered the event on 25 October.
The meeting went beyond a conventional training camp. National-team players and coaches prepared for competition and familiarised themselves with the course, while the club opened its facilities to people with disabilities, local associations and families. It was an example of competitive and grassroots golf sharing the same venue rather than operating as separate worlds.
An open day for more than 60 participants
Saturday 24 October was devoted in part to Golf per tutti (“Golf for everyone”). According to FIG, more than 60 young participants attending with local organisations had an opportunity to try golf on the course, supported by educators and volunteers. The participating groups included Eunike, Faggio, ADSO, Bandiera Lilla and Is.For.Coop.
The figure refers to people taking part in the introductory activity—not new club memberships or the number of golfers entered in the national championship. An afternoon discussion about sporting access brought together more than 50 attendees from organisations and local institutions. It was moderated by Roberto Bazzano, president of Bandiera Lilla.
National para-golf competition and a separate mixed scramble
On Sunday 25 October, the programme concluded with a national para-golf competition alongside a separate mixed-team contest. The latter used a four-player Louisiana format, the Italian name for a form of scramble. Each team included two para-golfers and two amateur golfers.
This distinction matters. The Louisiana event should not be described as four-ball, in which partners each play their own ball and count the better result, or as foursomes, in which partners alternate shots with one ball. The federation confirmed that both the national event and mixed contest took place, but its accessible report did not give a verified winners’ leaderboard or final stroke scores. None are being inferred here.
A regional effort rather than a one-off exhibition
Albisola was part of Golf Oltre Ogni Barriera (“Golf Beyond Every Barrier”), a programme developed by FIG’s Liguria delegation with clubs and disability-sport organisations. Liguria also hosted a European team championship for golfers with disabilities at Golf Club Genova Sant’Anna in July, followed by activity in Garlenda and participation in SportAbility initiatives.
Mani Taghdisirad, president of Golf Club Albisola, highlighted the significance of welcoming national-team players, families and community organisations to the same facility. FIG regional representative Roberto Damonte and regional Paralympic committee president Dario Della Gatta emphasised the need for lasting opportunities to participate. Rai’s coverage featured national players Cristiano Berlanda and Giulia Marabotti.
The programme’s next scheduled stop is Rapallo on 4 December 2026. The significance of Albisola lies not in a claimed medal tally, but in the practical steps taken to make local golf participation more accessible.
Sources: Federazione Italiana Golf, 26 October 2026; Rai 3 TGR Liguria, 25 October 2026; AlbengaCorsara, 26 October 2026.
