Golf New Zealand has added a brand-new event - the inaugural New Zealand All Abilities Championship - to its national event calendar.

The event will see leading golfers with a disability competing as part of a global calendar that contributes to the World Rankings for Golfers with Disability (WR4GD), administered jointly by the R&A and USGA under World Amateur Golf Rankings.

The event will be staged at Muriwai Golf Club from April 11 – 12, 2022, and is open to all disability categories with a recognised golf handicap of not more than 28 for men 36 for women.

Golf New Zealand believes golf can be the most inclusive and accessible game in the country. Golf New Zealand's Diversity and Inclusion Manager, Emily Davidson, has been doing extensive work to provide opportunities that allow New Zealanders with a disability to get started, learn, play and compete in golf. She says she's proud to have this event on the Golf New Zealand National Calendar.

'The New Zealand All Abilities Championship provides an incredible opportunity to showcase our country's leading disabled golfers and the inclusive nature of golf as a sport and recreation option for all,” says Emily. 'We will continue to see more events like this in the future.

'Alongside our friends at Golf Australia we are working towards an Australasian tournament pathway allowing golfers to play in events that contribute towards their world ranking and provide further opportunities to compete across the globe.”

Like other National Championships such as the New Zealand Stroke Play, the winner will be able to call themselves national champions, something Dave Mangan, General Manager of Championships and Golf Operations, believes is a great thing for golf in New Zealand.

'Golf New Zealand is delighted to see this new National Championship played for the first time this year,” says Dave. 'Many of our team were at the All Abilities Invitational at the New Zealand Open in 2020, and were inspired not only by the athlete's stories but just how good they are.

'We look forward to staging this event like any of our other Championships and come Tuesday afternoon a worthy National Champion will be crowned.”

Entries are now being taken on Golf New Zealand's website. Please click HERE

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