The number of international players competing in the 2017 Canon South African Disabled Golf Open continues to burgeon, with players from France, England and the United States in the mix for the tournament in Cape Town in May 2017. Irish arm amputee, Cian Arthurs is the latest international to confirm his participation in the prestigious the 2017 Canon South African Disabled Golf Open which annually attracts the very best disabled golfers from South Africa and the world. In 2016, 30% of the field boasted single figure handicaps and more than half of the competitors have handicaps of 18 or lower.

South Africans have historically dominated the tournament, with Ben van Zyl winning the event from 1998 to 2003; Pieter Jansen in 2004; Nico Wentzel in 2008; Iglin Grobler in 2009 and 2010; and Daniel Slabbert from 2011 to 2013, and again in 2015. 

“The South African Disabled Golf Open is now in its 19^th year and continues to grow in size and prominence, attracting a diversity of excellent golfers with disabilities each year. We look forward to welcoming Ireland’s Arthurs for his first South African Disabled Golf Open,” says Reinard Schuhknecht, Brand Ambassador for SADGA.

Arthurs is certainly a force to be reckoned with, boasting an official handicap of 6.5 in accordance with CONGU requirements.  He represented Europe against America in the Fightmaster Cup (The equivalent of the Ryder Cup for one armed golfers) in 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2016. He also represented Ireland in the World One-Armed Golf Championships from 2009 to 2016 and has always finished in the top eight.  He is a member of Roganstown Golf and Country Club and is working towards becoming a professional golf coach specialising in children with disabilities. In addition to being a keen golfer, he also plays soccer for Swords Celtic and was voted the club’s Player of the Year in 2015.

Despite his disability, he leads an active lifestyle and is currently working as the coach to the Fingal Ravens Ladies Football team. He also keeps busy freelancing at the Kinsealy Grange Driving Range and Golf Academy, and at a security company.

Hosted annually by the South African Disabled Golf Association (SADGA), the South African Disabled Golf Open is now in its 19^th year and with take place from the 15^th to the 17^th of May in Cape Town. Previously sponsored by Nedbank, the event is now sponsored by Canon South Africa which has been a proud sponsor of SADGA.