COVENTRY golfer Heather Gilks has been named in England Golf’s first-ever disability squad.
Gilks, who plays out of Coventry Golf Club, forms part of a 12-player disability performance squad.
The Coventry golfer beat her mum Martine to the English Open title earlier this year.
And the 12-player squad for the 2025/26 season sees golfers split into four different bands.
This will determine the teams and tournament selections for the different competitions England take part in.
The bands have been put in place by EDGA (European Disabled Golf Association).
Gilks is joined by Aimi Bullock and Kipp Popert in the Band Three squad.
The new squad forms part of England Golf’s wider strategic plan – the 2025 to 2030 disability golf plan.
England Golf hope to make the sport the leading choice for disabled people in England.
England Golf deputy performance director, Steve Burnett said: “After two successful campaigns at the European Team Championships for Golfers with a Disability, we have taken the proactive step of introducing the England Disability Squad.
“This is with a view to providing this elite group of players with the opportunities for coaching and development afforded to our existing England Squads.
“By having this squad, we hope to inspire golfers with a disability to try and reach their potential and represent their country, where they will not only get access to the best facilities and coaching, but have the opportunity to win medals.”
England Golf disability manager, Tom Dobson added: “Golf is a game for everyone, and we want all aspiring players with a disability to enjoy our sport in whatever capacity they wish, and to challenge themselves to be the best they can be.
“We’d like to see more players competing and signing up to be assessed for their EDGA passes, which in turn will provide greater depth and more entries for the English Open for Golfers with a Disability – a championship which has seen increased entries year on year since 2023, and the growing number of disability golf events in England.”
