The G4D Open

The 2024 G4D Open | Seven to watch

The R&A

14 May 24

3 mins

While the focus many be on defending champion Brendan Lawlor and world number one Kipp Popert at Woburn for this week’s second staging of The G4D Open, there are plenty of other players set to shine. Among the 80 competing players across nine sport classes, here are seven to watch…

Chris Biggins

From: USA Age: 32 Home Club: The Country Club of Birmingham Handicap Index: Professional World Ranking: 3 (Gross) Sport Class: Standing 2 A European Tour-EDGA event winner, and a potential winner at Woburn this time. Chris is also a professional coach in Alabama. Highly motivated in training, the world number three says, “Golf is the sport that has allowed me to do this at a high level despite my cerebral palsy,” he said. “I love to compete.” For more player information, please visit: https://www.edgagolf.com/profiles/40-chris-biggins/

Aimi Bullock

From: England Age: 51 Home Club: Sunningdale Heath Golf Club Handicap Index: 7.80 World Ranking: 14 (Female) 181 (Gross) Sport Class: Standing 2 Third-leading ranked female player at Woburn, Aimi’s playing highlights include the G4D Tour Skafto Open; playing for England, and a recent G4D trophy in the Rose Series at Southport & Ainsdale. Aimi, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2013, is also EDGA’s volunteer Director of Women’s Golf as she helps grow the game. For more player information, please visit: https://www.edgagolf.com/profiles/06-aimi-bullock/

Terry Kirby

From: England Age: 68 Home Club: Ganstead Park GC Handicap Index: 30.50 World Ranking: 37 (Seated players, Stableford) Sport Class: Sitting 1 Yorkshireman Terry won his Sport Class (Sitting 1) at last year’s G4D Open and will be looking to repeat the feat. He appreciates everything about the game, “It keeps me sane and gives me the reasons to get up in the morning. I believe I was the first wheelchair golfer ever to captain an able-bodied golf club.” For more player information, please visit: https://www.edgagolf.com/profiles/72-terry-kirby-2/

Daphne van Houten - Netherlands

“It’s always been a goal to inspire others, no matter what your (dis)ability is. I feel honoured to showcase the game.”

Paul Ellison

From: Scotland Age: 48 Home Club: St Andrews Golf Club Handicap Index: 0.30 World Ranking: 48 (Gross) Sport Class: Standing 2 Paul is one of the more experienced players who could perform well on Woburn’s Duchess Course. When not working for the St Andrews Links Trust to help others enjoy the game, Paul is a true expert on the rub of the green, having walked the Old Course as a caddie/player over 5,000 times. For more player information, please visit: https://www.edgagolf.com/profiles/07-paul-ellison-2/

Masato Koyamada

From: Japan Age: 56 Home Club: Nasuyoko Golf Club Handicap Index: Professional World Ranking: 77 (Gross) Sport Class: Standing 2 One of four Japanese players competing, reflecting the international flavour of the Championship. Masato lost his right hand in an industrial machine accident when he was two years old; later fought a brain tumour aged 38, before becoming a professional golf coach in 2013. “In golf, disabled and able-bodied people can compete with each other,” he said. “I believe I was able to overcome both disability and illnesses through playing golf.

Conor Stone

From: Ireland Age: 29 Home Club: Carton House Handicap Index: 1.00 World Ranking: 12 (Gross) Sport Class: Standing 3 “Golf keeps me going,” he admits. During his Pádraig Harrington Golf Scholarship at Maynooth University, Conor was diagnosed with a progressive form of curvature of the spine and he had to stop his golf at 20. Battling back, Conor has since qualified for five G4D Tour events including last year’s G4D Open at Woburn where he finished tied fourth.

Daphne van Houten

From: The Netherlands Age: 25 Home Club: Golfclub De Haenen Handicap Index: 1.00 World Ranking: 1 (Female), 22 (Gross) Sport Class: Standing 3 The world ranked number one (female) played in the G4D Tour Magical Kenya Open in February and is now focusing on The G4D Open at Woburn – where she will hit the opening tee shot on Wednesday at 8.30am. Daphne, who was born with Scoliosis, says of the attention, “It’s always been a goal to inspire others, no matter what your (dis)ability is. I feel honoured to showcase the game.” For more player information, please visit: https://www.edgagolf.com/profiles/29-daphne-van-houten/

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