The modified rules introduced by governing body, The Royal & Ancient (R&A) allow disabled golfers "to play equitably with an able-bodied individual or a golfer with another type of disability."

Rosser and Eccles, who both suffer from autism, were allowed a supervisor to play alongside them to assist with matters relating to rules and etiquette in a tournament which bans caddies for other competitors.

Both players competed in the Under-15 competition during the qualifying event at Builth Wells which saw Eccles, from South Yorkshire just miss out on qualifying for the final at Celtic Manor by a single shot after he carded a round of nett 63.

Rosser, who is from Glamorgan and has Tourette's syndrome and hypermobility, as well as autism, finished with a round of nett 75.

Speaking afterwards, the 14-year-old, who won last year's Disabled Golf Association Race to Wales competition said: "I'd like to thank Celtic Manor and the Principality Building Society for allowing the use of the disabled rules for the Junior Wales Open qualifying competition.

"I played quite well but didn't score as well as I would have liked on the day but it makes a real difference to play under the modified rules.

"It is the only way I can play on a level playing field with other golfers and it's something we're hoping more open competitions will adopt."

Jordan Rosser in action at the Junior Wales Open qualifying event at Builth Wells
©Celtic Manor Golf Resort



The Junior Wales Open is the first open Welsh event to adopt the modified rules and the support for disabled golf in Wales has been boosted by the fact that the main senior Wales Open is also sponsored by ISPS HANDA (Inspire through the Power of Sport) which is dedicated to promoting blind and disabled golf, with the eventual aim of seeing the game accepted as a Paralympic sport.

"This is definitely a first in Wales and I think it might be one of the first open competitions in the UK to accept both able-bodied golfers and disabled golfers playing under the modified rules, which are themselves only a couple of years old," said Daniel Farmer of the Golf Union of Wales

"Disabled golf has been a particular focus for the work of Golf Development Wales in the last year or so and it is great to see a national competition being inclusive in this way."

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