. Thanks to the playing handicap, the different tee boxes, and the Stableford competition format, young people under 18—such as Cloe Amión, Rocío Tejedo, and Balma Dávalos, members of the National Golf School—adults, seniors, and super-seniors (over 70 years old), women, men, professional golfers, golfers with disabilities… all competed together in a tournament where competitiveness was evident from the very first minute.

. Gonzaga Escauriaza, President of the RFEG: «Golf naturally offers inclusion. There is no one who doesn’t fit into this sport to compete together.”

. Juan Postigo, professional golfer and one-legged amputee: “Golf has become my way of life. And that’s what makes me happy.”.

. Javier Font, President of the Federation of Associations of People with Physical and Organic Disabilities of the Community of Madrid: “Golf empowers people with disabilities and helps to eliminate stereotypes. That is why I congratulate the golf world.”.

The Communication and Business Cup, a series of events promoted by the RFEG with the aim of spreading the values of golf, has highlighted the inclusive nature of this sport, which naturally accommodates diversity, reflected on numerous occasions through matches or competitions in which people with different abilities participate.

VIDEO | Golf, an inclusive sport by nature

This was expressed by Gonzaga Escauriaza, President of the Royal Spanish Golf Federation, during his speech to the participants in this inclusive event, which brought together amateur golfers under 18 years of age - such as Cloe Amión, Rocío Tejedo or Balma Dávalos, members of the National Golf School -, older, seniors and super seniors (over 70 years old), women, men, as well as professional golfers and golfers with different abilities.

“It’s wonderful that the Communication Cup is focusing on these issues, because golf is inclusive by nature. It doesn’t have to do anything to be so. Let me give you an example: there was a Pitch & Putt Championship for Regional Federations where a grandfather and grandson played in a foursome, and that’s inclusivity. I can’t think of another sport where something like that happens. Golf naturally offers inclusion. There’s no one who doesn’t fit into this sport to compete together.”,

said Gonzaga Escauriaza.

Special mention, in this regard, goes to the work carried out by the Royal Madrid Golf Federation to facilitate access and participation for people with different types of disabilities, as highlighted by its President, Ignacio Guerras: “I believe that golf is the only sport that allows people to play from age 5 to 99, and all under the same conditions. We have 70 or 80 players competing in an Adapted Golf circuit, with about fourteen events.”

and with a prestigious Open, a wonderful tournament with players from many nationalities.”.

The existence of the playing handicap, which equalizes the abilities of the participants in a golf game or competition; the possibility of choosing the tee boxes to suit the length of the course and competition regulations that promote equality are intrinsic elements of the sport of golf that favor inclusion, also benefited by the possibility of playing golf from early childhood to adulthood.

All those present also highlighted the work done in recent years to equalize prize money in men's and women's professional tournaments, a path already taken by various prestigious Professional Circuits that, as is the case for example in the DP World Tour, organize mixed tournaments with access to the same prize money.

Equality in this sense has existed for some time in our country, since the PGA of Spain organizes tournaments where men and women have access to the same prizes, as Ander Martínez, President of the Association of Professionals of Spain, was keen to remind us.

“It’s always better to lead by example than to give speeches. That’s why in the PGA of Spain tournaments, which we organize with the help of the RFEG and the Regional Federations, we see professionals like María Herráez or Juan Postigo playing for the same prizes. It’s about everyone having the same opportunities.”.

Fernando Vega de Seoane, a paraplegic golfer and representative of the RFEG's Adapted and Inclusive Golf Committee, stated that “this is a sport where you play on five or six different surfaces, which means you always have to adapt. Remember Seve, who hit brilliant shots on his knees. For me, golf is a refuge, a therapy during this drastic life change I've had to endure. I urge clubs to encourage people with disabilities to hit the ball with a club, and the Committee will ensure that everyone has the opportunity to progress. The handicap system is a fantastic way to level the playing field.”.

Special mention for Juan Postigo, a leg amputee, three-time European Adapted Golf Champion and six-time Spanish Adapted Golf Champion, who has recently turned professional, where he is developing an interesting career.

“Before golf, I loved sailing or skiing, but those were sports I couldn't play with kids my own age. Then my grandfather took me to Mataleñas, and there I realized I could play with kids my age without any adaptation. It's become my way of life. And that's what makes me happy.”.

The event was closed by Javier Font, President of the Federation of Associations of People with Physical and Organic Disabilities of the Community of Madrid, who said that, in the social sphere, “we continue working to reach other spaces and to communicate our reality to the outside world. We see people with disabilities accessing jobs or universities. We demonstrate that we are equal, and I encourage the RFEG (Royal Spanish Golf Federation) to continue along this path. Golf empowers people with disabilities and helps to eliminate stereotypes. For this reason, I congratulate the golf community.”.

The event was also attended by professional golfer Carlos Balmaseda – double Spanish Senior Champion – and athletes from other sports – such as José Manuel Beirán, former basketball player for the Spanish national team and Real Madrid – who choose golf as a sport to practice when they leave their high-level careers.

Check out the photo gallery and video of the day below, in the Related Links section.