In the latest EDGA event, golfers from 13 countries with a range of physical, intellectual and sensorial impairments, assembled at the 5-star resort in Vilamoura to compete in the two-day championship (November 19-20).
Out on Vila Sol’s challenging but beautiful course, there was some excellent scoring despite at times unseasonal winds. Charles-Henri Quelin of France put together exemplary rounds of 75 and 72, for a +3 total, to win the EDGA Algarve Open Gross title in style, by six shots over England’s Brad Smith and Rasmus Lia of Sweden in third.
Holland’s Daphne van Houten was the pre-tournament favourite to win the EDGA Women’s Cup Gross title, which she accomplished by recording solid rounds of 85 and 83. In second place was England’s Aimi Bullock and third was exciting prospect 16 year-old Heather Gilks of England who was competing in her first international EDGA tournament.
A much deserving and heralded winner of the EDGA Algarve Open’s Stableford division was Vladimir Frinta of the Czech Republic, as his fine two-round score of 71 points gave him victory, four points clear of runner-up Philippe Petit of France, with Czech player Pavel Truhlar in third and England’s William Hennessey in fourth.