Disabled golf Euro championship call up an 'honour'

A golfer from Oxfordshire says it is a "massive honour" to have been picked to play in the disabled European championships.

The championship will see two events taking place in Italy from Thursday to Saturday – one being the European Team Championship, and the other the European Nations Cup.

Held every two years, the event provides an international team competition platform for golfers with disabilities.

Andrew Gardiner, who lives near Bicester, will play in the The European Nations' Cup alongside Ken Powell, John Eakin and Aimi Bullock.

Both events require countries to field mixed-gender teams of players from different sport bands to promote inclusivity.

Gardiner said it was a "massive surprise" to receive the call from England Golf.

"I certainly didn't think I was anywhere near getting the call-up," he said.

"To get a call-up for your national squad... it's a massive honour. I'm really proud that at nearly 50 I've got yet another call-up."

Gardiner broke his leg in a freak accident in 2004, which lead to it being amputated.

In 2011 he had an operation so he could have a prosthetic leg and went on to win the Disabled Euro title. He then turned pro in 2012, before returning to amateur status.

He said disabled golf had "changed massively" since he started in 2010-2011.

"A lot of it's to do with what is now acceptable disabilities for disabled golf," he said.

"It used to be that amputees were always accepted because obviously you're missing body parts, but it's been opened up to a lot more disabilities now so the strength of field has certainly got a lot stronger, because you've got guys that have got intellectual psychological disorders that are now competing with us."

Gardiner said he did not play much golf prior to losing his leg.

"I loved golf but I wasn't as into it and as crazy about golf as I am now," he said.

"Golf is pretty much my life now and where that might be sad for some people, for me, golf gives me another lease of life.

"I didn't look at myself as disabled, I just looked at myself as a golfer."

Disability Squad head coach Adam Keogh said: "Having achieved a silver medal in the last two versions of the European Team Championship, we are hopeful we can go one step further.

"The team were exceptional at the recent squad coaching session and between now and arriving in Italy, we have the English Open, where we hope to have more squad success.

"To be successful in Italy we will have to overcome the challenges of the likely high temperatures and a mountainous golf course.

"With the format being amended for this event to a mix of foursomes and greensomes, it will require a complete team effort."