Disabled golfers from around the world will descend on Scotland next week to play in the first ever
4-team, Ryder Cup of golf. Teams representing Scotland, England, the Celtic Nations and the Rest of the World will play over 72 holes at the Westerwood Golf Hotel and Resort in Cumbernauld, from Friday 15 to Monday 18 July. The 48 golfers participating (12 per team) will come from Europe, Canada, Ireland and the home nations and involves disabilities like amputees, the blind and those with cerebral palsy, learning disabilities and wheelchair users.
The World Team Cup will follow a brand new 3-day, 54-hole Scottish Championship at the adjacent
Dullatur Golf Club, from Monday 11 to Wednesday 13 July, where some 40 golfers will compete for the coveted title of Scottish Disabled Golf Champion.
Jim Gales, the SDGP Chairman said, "We have received some fantastic support from Trusts and Foundations from across the UK and the assistance from Scottish businesses which, in these difficult times, is very welcome. North Lanarkshire Council and their Provost Tom Curley have provided huge import, not only through financial grants for the event, but the Provost will also host a Civic Reception at the world Cup".
Additionally, over 50 MSP's, MEP's and MP's have passed on their support to the SDGP for these world class events, part of which has come via a Parliamentary Motion (S4M-00017) submitted by Murdo Fraser, which has the backing of politicians including; Richard Simpson, John Pentland, Ruth Davidson, Elaine Murray, Joan McAlpine, Chic Brodie, Neil Findlay, Jamie McGrigor, Mary Scanlon, Stuart McMillan, Jackson Carlaw, Humza Yousaf, Bob Doris, John Park, Alex Johnstone and Nanette Milne, Fiona McKellan, the Event Manager at the Westerwood Hotel in Cumbernauld, has kindly agreed to represent the SDGP as Honorary Captain for 2011. Fiona has been helping to organise disabled golf events at Westerwood for almost ten years and said, "It's always good to meet up with the guys from the SDGP again and we hope that when they visit us for their Scottish Championship and World Cup, we hope the weather will be kind and we can assist in promoting disabled golf more." Full details on all the SDGP fixtures, can be found at www.sdgp.co.uk or by email at info@sdgp.co.uk