Opening Golf to the World
The G4D Open
The G4D Open: Ever-presents reflect on Championship growth
14 May 26
6 mins
The G4D Open has created visibility for players around the world and, more importantly, it has changed perceptions about what golfers with disabilities can achieve.
The Championship, for 80 male and female golfers with disabilities, is staging its fourth edition this week as it enters a new chapter at Celtic Manor Resort, after three years at Woburn. Alessandra Donati, 59, is one of 23 players in the field this week who have played in each G4D Open and seen it grow since it was established in 2023. The Italian, who was born with Charcot-Marie-Tooth, a progressive neuropathy disease, reflects on her association with The G4D Open with an immense sense of pride.Donati reflects
Prior to taking part in 2023, Donati anticipated it being her swansong from international golf after competing in EDGA events across Europe. However, such was the renewed purpose it provided her, her passion has only grown. “I didn't expect to be able to participate in The G4D Open, so being included among the participating players was a great honour for me, the reward for all the hard work of the previous years," she said. “It was like a lifetime achievement award. Then, it was a great motivation to improve and to make a positive change in my golf.
Alessandra Donati of Italy.
“Before the 2023 G4D Open, I was thinking about retiring from international competition but the atmosphere of Woburn gave me an enthusiasm I never thought I'd find again. The atmosphere at The G4D Open is unlike any other competition. It gives me a huge boost! And above all, a great desire to improve my game.”
Staged in partnership by The R&A and the DP World Tour and supported by EDGA, the Championship features nine sport classes across multiple impairment groups which cover categories in Standing, Intellectual, Visual and Sitting.
Molinari connection
Donati won the Standing 1 title in 2024 and 2025 and is bidding for a hat-trick at a venue which would be particularly meaningful for her as it is where three-time DP World Tour winner Edoardo Molinari – a fellow member at Royal Park Golf Club in Italy – made his Ryder Cup debut in 2010. She added, “In 2023, when I participated in my first G4D Open, I said to myself, ‘I'll participate this year and then I'll retire.’ Then things went much better than I thought – sometimes reality surpasses fantasy.” Donati is among 14 women in the field, with Erika Malmberg also readying herself for her fourth start after a memorable debut three years ago.
Erika Malmberg of Sweden
A former police officer in her native Sweden, the 41-year-old, diagnosed with autism and ADD, was given the honour of hitting the opening tee shot at Woburn.
Malmberg’s honour
Reflecting on that moment, she said, “When I saw the draw, I actually asked around saying ‘my name is on top, does that mean that I hit the first tee shot, or just that I’m in the first group without any particular order?’ “I couldn’t grasp it then and I still can’t grasp it now, that I, a farm girl from Sweden, who was told that golf was too expensive a sport to even try and because of that didn’t start playing until I was 32, had the honour to hit the inaugural tee shot at Woburn.” A vocal advocate for the role golf can play in empowering people from all walks of life, Malmberg is in no doubt that competition like The G4D Open shows that passion has no limits. “To celebrate winners across all sport classes makes it visible for others to see the variations of disabilities across the field," she said. “And it raises the possibility that if you can see it, you can be it.”Freeman’s motorhome adventures
Graham Freeman, who shared the honour of hitting the Championship’s opening tee shots with Malmberg, arrives in Wales after a one-month golfing odyssey by motorhome along with wife Naomi and dog Poppy.
Graham Freeman of Belgium.
A winner of the Sitting 2 Sport Class in 2023, the Belgian Paragolfer is again striving to be the best of the best this year but above all is keen to recognise how the Championship is inspiring new players, with 19 making their debut over the Roman Road Course.
“Without a doubt the tournament has certainly become the benchmark tournament in Europe, certainly back in Belgium other players have seen the videos, images and heard the stories about The G4D Open,” he said.
“I feel this has encouraged the younger players especially to strive to play better and get their own entry into the competition.”
The G4D Open has built on the G4D Tour, which saw 32 tournaments staged at DP World Tour and HotelPlanner Tour events from 2022 to 2025. David Watts is among those in action this week who has competed in both, along with the likes of defending men’s Champion Brendan Lawlor.
Watts excited for Wales
The South African has played at world-renowned venues such as Wentworth and his biggest G4D triumph came with his victory at the Singapore Classic in 2023, shortly before the first G4D Open.
David Watts of South Africa.
Among the more high-profile players as a result, the South African has finished in the top-15 in each of his three appearances to date at the leading event for golfers with a disability.
“Any opportunity to compete in an event of this calibre is special but to be part of it for a fourth time is something I’m extremely proud of,” said Watts, who competes in the Standing 2 Sport Class.
“It’s become one of the stand-out weeks on the calendar and an event that all of us look forward to. To return year-after-year is both rewarding and motivating because you can see how much the tournament continues to grow and evolve.” Right from the off, The G4D Open has made those involved feel part of something big and James McRitchie admits just to have competed once on this elevated platform was a source of great pride.
“Any opportunity to compete in an event of this calibre is special but to be part of it for a fourth time is something I’m extremely proud of,” said Watts, who competes in the Standing 2 Sport Class.
“It’s become one of the stand-out weeks on the calendar and an event that all of us look forward to. To return year-after-year is both rewarding and motivating because you can see how much the tournament continues to grow and evolve.” Right from the off, The G4D Open has made those involved feel part of something big and James McRitchie admits just to have competed once on this elevated platform was a source of great pride.
McRitchie joy
Instrumental to that was hearing his name read out by Alastair Scott, a regular first-tee announcer on the DP World Tour.
James McRitchie of England.
The Englishman, who was born without fingers on his left hand, was initially a reserve for the first two editions before getting called up after late withdrawals and is relishing the chance of competing among the world’s best once again after feeling at his most relaxed last year.
“It felt surreal and made me so nervous,” he said of his first-tee memory in 2023. “As I was on the waiting list, I had no idea of the scale so when I was announced on the tee it was something I will never forget and remains one of my greatest days in my golfing life. It's just a shame the shot wasn't so good!”
But The G4D Open is about more than just competing, it brings together like-minded people in an inclusive environment and helps them break boundaries.
“I have met some of the most inspiring and amazing people and great golfers for that matter from this event,” McRitchie added. “I now have friends from around the world that I would never have met without this event, I am truly grateful to be part of it for the fourth time. It's an honour and a privilege.”