A world-first championship for golfers with a disability will be contested during this year's Emirates Australian Open in Sydney.
On the same course, at the same time and under the same playing conditions, the world's top golfers with a disability will share the fairways chasing the Australian All Abilities Championship presented by ISPS Handa as the fight for the Stonehaven Cup rages simultaneously at The Lakes Golf Club.
Golf Australia national inclusion manager Christian Hamilton was thrilled that players with a disability would have the opportunity to share the global spotlight.
"This is far from an exhibition event. These are the world's best players, as determined by their own world rankings system, and they'll face the same test as all the champions who'll be battling for the Aussie Open," Hamilton said.
"It will complement the work of the International Golf Federation which is poised to promote its case for golf's inclusion in the 2024 Paralympics in France.
"One of the sport's great advantages is its capacity to include; these tournaments combined will not only inspire the public to see that, but also encourage other golfing federations to follow Australia's lead in making the game accessible to all."
An elite field of 12 golfers with a disability will play for world rankings points at the AAAC, one of eight annual Australian-based events to offer such points, and placed into the Emirates Australian Open field in a way that is being determined in consultation with the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia.
The rankings system was developed in Europe and has since been adopted in 30 countries globally, including Australia and New Zealand.
Golf Australia chief executive Stephen Pitt was delighted to expand the national championship's scope.
"The Stonehaven Cup has long been regarded as one of the world's great golfing prizes and we hope this new event will ultimately be regarded with the same level of global respect," Pitt said.
"Along with the PGA of Australia, we have been working hard on inclusive golf for the past couple of years and this is a critical next step to showcase our pathways.
"It's fitting that Australia is at the forefront of inclusive golf and we can't wait to see our fans' reactions as they witness just how dynamic these athletes are, for many probably for the first time.
"This concept is huge for golf in Australia, but also around the world as we seek to make the sport open to all."
This year’s Emirates Australian Open will be played at The Lakes from November 15-18.