Adam Dalton delivered an exceptional performance at the EDGA Algarve Open in Portugal this past weekend.
Adam finished 3rd in the competition, capping off what he describes as his strongest and busiest season to date.
The Algarve Open marked the final event of the European Disabled Golf Association (EDGA) calendar and coincided with the organisation’s 25th anniversary, a landmark moment for one of the world’s leading bodies dedicated to advancing disability golf.
Held at the Pestana Vila Sol Resort in Vilamoura from 20–22 November, the tournament welcomed 83 players from 18 nations across multiple disability classifications. First staged in 2014 through a partnership between EDGA and the Algarve Tourism Association, the event has grown into one of the most respected and internationally diverse on the EDGA schedule.
Reflecting on his result, Adam said: “It was my first time playing in this event… The experience was great. The golf course was very difficult, but I’m happy with the way I played, and I had lots of fun. I ended up finishing third, so yes, very happy.”
Still early in his golfing journey, discovering EDGA proved to be a turning point in Adam’s development as a player. “I only picked the game up four and a little bit years ago, and as soon as I did, we found EDGA and realized that there’s actually a world of disabled golf and potentially a chance for me in the future. There’s a different variety of disabilities, and everyone is still just playing golf. They found their own way to do it, and they’re all enjoying themselves.”
Unlike what many assume, events like the Algarve Open do not separate players into disability categories. Golfers of all ages and with all types of disabilities compete together in a single field.
This reflects the inclusive spirit of the event, with players of different backgrounds and abilities competing side by side and supporting one another as a unified community.
“These events are great because it’s like one community… Everyone’s always encouraging one another. It’s competitive, but everybody’s pleased for anyone that does well.”
EDGA continues to set the standard for the development and support of disability golf, with its tournaments contributing to the World Ranking for Golfers with Disability (WR4GD). Adam’s performance in Portugal has capped off an exceptional year and earned him valuable ranking points, moving him up to 10th place in the WR4GD rankings as of today.
Adam continues to work towards his long-term ambition of representing Great Britain should golf be included in the Paralympic Games, with the 2032 Brisbane Games now being targeted as the earliest possible opportunity for the sport to make its Paralympic debut. He describes this goal as “top of the pyramid” in his career aspirations, adding: “I think it’s something to work towards, and if I do end up getting into that, it’d be incredible.”
As he reflected on the year as a whole, Adam added: “To finish the season like this means a lot, and I want to thank everyone who has supported me throughout the year, including Golf Links. Their encouragement and belief in me have made a huge difference, and none of this progress would have been possible without that support.”
