Italy
Preview article by Ben Evans
For whichever reason we play golf: exercise, friendship, the personal challenge or competition, many of the ideals of the game shine brightest during the European Team Championship for Golfers with Disability taking from Thursday to Saturday this week.
The seventh edition of this biennial European Golf Association (EGA) championship, supported by EDGA, is set for three days of intense team drama in northern Italy for eight competing European nations. Here, selected players will complete 54 holes of golf in team pair scoring, all taking place at the outstanding Golf Club Genova Sant’Anna in the coastal region of Liguria.
The Italian Golf Federation will welcome G4D (golf for the disabled) players in teams of four from England, France (defending champions from 2024), Germany, Ireland, The Netherlands, Norway and Sweden.
Friendship and respect across national borders
It all starts with a much-valued moment among competitors, coaches, families and friends, which sees chosen players carrying their country’s flags at the event’s opening ceremony, welcoming golfers in their team uniforms from around Europe and fostering friendship and respect on the eve of the tournament.
This atmosphere is summed up well by Cristiano Cerchiai, President of the Italian Golf Federation,who said: “This championship represents not only a high-level sporting competition, but also a significant expression of the values that underpin European golf: inclusion, respect and equal opportunity…
“On behalf of the Italian Golf Federation, I extend my best wishes to all participating teams for a successful and memorable championship.”
Marcella Neggers, the national coach for The Netherlands and herself a player in the championship, understands why the national team dynamic is loved by those taking part.
“Playing in the European Team Championship creates camaraderie. Everybody in the team has a disability, but when we play together, it all seems to fade away,” said Marcella. “Even after many years as a player and coach, being part of a team still inspires me, and I’m incredibly proud to be teeing it up alongside my teammates in our orange shirts, representing our country.”
Watching the players in action at Golf Club Genova Sant’Anna, spectators will experience how they are tested by taking on a challenging championship golf course, finding their way to often exceed their personal targets, while using their strengths to help their team members to achieve best results over three rounds: team scores are assembled in the formats of Greensomes (day one and three) and Foursomes (day two); played in pairs selected by the team captains.
The ‘Band’ system promotes competition and fairness
EDGA, an acknowledged international authority on G4D, created the inclusive ‘Band’ system so that players can be selected from one of four bands that cover all impairment groups, including limb difference, orthopaedic and neurological conditions, seated players, intellectual classes and golfers who are visually impaired, with each team of four also selecting at least one female golfer.
Mette Havnaas, 58, from Norway is a player who is blind and made her debut in the championship in 2024.
Mette said: “I am very proud to be able to represent Norway. I was lucky enough to be there in 2024 and I think it is great that there are four different sport class bands, and at least one woman must compete from each country. This means that more people get the opportunity to represent their country. The format with Greensomes and Foursomes is challenging and fun.”
Mette’s teammate André Toth added: “Starting out with the Norwegian flag on your chest is very big. The fact that there are four team members is special as we struggle in our own way. Both mentally and athletically, this will be one of the best things for me.”
Ireland’s Caolan Munnelly, who has an intellectual disability, is able to make his debut in Italy under this inclusive system. The 22-year-old knows support from friends and family will help calm his nerves. Caolan said: “Being selected to represent Ireland in Italy is a challenge that feels both exciting and quietly daunting. The competition will be intense and the environment unfamiliar but I'm part of a team who are all committed to giving it everything.
“Earning a first cap is something that seemed far away… It's something that wouldn't have happened without the support of many people who never stopped believing in me. That support will help me when I am standing on the first tee.”
More experienced than Caolan is 58-year-old Irish teammate Tom Doherty. Tom, who has a spinal condition from an accident in his teens, appreciates how the format can mix opportunity with intense competition for a wide range of players. He said: “As a para-athlete, a wheelchair basketball player and now a G4D player, l am constantly amazed by the sporting prowess I have witnessed on the track, the court and now the fairways. Much like the Paralympics, the G4D Band system recognises individual impairments, and the challenges to achieve elite podium success and national pride.”
Germany’s Jennifer Sräga will be appearing at the tournament as the newly crowned G4D Open Champion from May at Celtic Manor, Wales, and she has an extra reason to be proud to play. Jennifer said: “It’s a huge honour for me to be nominated to play at the European Team Championship and represent my country at this event for the fifth time. This year I will carry an even bigger responsibility with me because I will lead Team Germany as a playing captain through this tournament. We are well prepared and ready to give our best.”
The European Nations’ Cup
Running alongside the championship in Genova, the European Nations’ Cup for Golfers with Disability is staged once again, in the same team format, with experienced players supporting emerging golfers with higher handicap indexes to earn international competitive honours.
Nations taking part are able to select a mixed team from any qualifying player and this year’s championship will be contested by five teams: Italy will welcome Belgium, Czech Republic, England and Ireland to the Genova course. This event is likely to become a proving ground for future European Team Championship players.
For the golfers taking part, the honour in representing their country is great, while for some the personal satisfaction after struggle can also be significant.
‘Never give up’
Alessandra ‘Ale’ Donati, aged 59, is playing for Italy on home ground; she has the neurological condition Charcot-Marie-Tooth. Ale said: “I am very happy and proud. It is my first time competing in a European Championship and my first time representing Italy in a team competition.
“There are a number of golfers, but not many, who have this opportunity. I never thought this would happen. Someone once told me – years ago – that I wasn't competitive, and slammed the door in my face. I kept training and working hard, and I made it this far.
“I would like to tell everyone who has found themselves in such a situation never to give up, and to keep working and training. Life is full of surprises.”
EDGA has supported the Team Championship since 2006, and supports the EGA’s European Individual Championship held in the alternate years.
Prof. Tony Bennett, EDGA President, said: “While inclusion should be an overriding philosophy in any sport, make no mistake, each of these players has very much earned their place by excelling as one of the best players in their countries.
“This championship is crucial in highlighting the pathway that is available for all players with an eligible impairment. Representing one’s country is, for many, a great honour; to do so at the EGA European Team Championship makes wearing your country’s colours even more special.”
Tony added: “We are delighted to help the European Golf Association to bring the championship to Golf Club Genova Sant’Anna and to have the Italian Golf Federation as our hosts.”
EGA thanks Italy
Joaquín Castillo, President of the EGA, said: “The European Golf Association is grateful to the Italian Golf Federation and Golf Club Genova Sant’Anna for hosting the 2026 European Team Championship for Golfers with Disability and the 2026 European Nations’ Cup for Golfers with Disability. I extend a special thanks to EDGA for their ongoing enthusiasm and hard work in organising these outstanding events.
“My best wishes to all participating teams, officials and supporters. Play well, enjoy yourselves and I hope that you all will get the chance to make new friendships, which may last a lifetime.”
Defending champions France
Whichever nation aims to lift the European Team Championship trophy they will have to beat the defending champions from 2024, the team from France, made up this year of some highly decorated and experienced G4D players in Charles-Henri Quelin, Melody Roccaz, Mathieu Cauneau, and Pierjean Frison (the first three all played in 2024).
Melody Roccaz, 24, who has a right-sided hemiparesis following two childhood strokes and competes from a Paragolfer, was in that victorious team in Germany two years ago and she loved the experience.
Melody said: “Representing France at the European Team Championship is an incredible honour and something I am very proud of. This year feels different because we are defending our title, which brings excitement but also a lot more pressure. In 2024, I was hoping not to let my partner down. In 2026, I want to help my partner succeed. That is the biggest change for me.
“This championship is about much more than winning. It shows that golfers with different impairments can come together as one team, represent their country and inspire others. I hope more people discover paragolf and realise that there is a place for them, and that disability should never stop anyone from experiencing unforgettable moments in sport.”
