LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND — (Monday, 9 November 2026) — The International Golf Federation (IGF) has begun its first athlete Classification Evaluation Sessions under the new IGF Classification Rules, marking an important milestone for Golf for Athletes with a Disability and the sport’s ambitions for inclusion in the Brisbane 2032 Paralympic Games.

The Classification Evaluation Sessions follow three days of training and certification for the first cohort of IGF Classifiers, who had previously completed the Classification Fundamentals online training course.

The Three-day workshop focused on applying the new IGF Classification Rules in practice, preparing Classifiers to conduct athlete assessments consistently and in accordance with the procedures established under the new framework.

With this training complete, the IGF has welcomed the first athletes to undergo Classification under the new Rules, published on 12 October 2026 after more than 3 years of development and consultation with the IPC, leading experts in golf and Paralympic Classifications, and a range of stakeholders across golf.

The Rules establish eight Sport Classes covering athletes with physical, vision and intellectual impairments. They also introduce valuable, reliable assessment procedures that use accurate, evidence-based methods and criteria supported by scientific research to help ensure Classification decisions are objective, consistent and transparent.

Antony Scanlon, Executive Director of the International Golf Federation, said:

“Publishing the new Classification Rules was a major achievement for the IGF, but putting them into practice is what really matters.

“We have spent more than three years working with the IPC, researchers, medical experts and our partners across golf to build a Classification Framework that athletes and National Member Federations can have confidence in.”

“Seeing our first Classifiers complete their training and our first athletes enter the Classification process is an important moment. It brings all that work together and marks the beginning of a new chapter for Golf for Athletes with a Disability.”

"I would also like to sincerely thank Golf Australia for their collaboration, support and trust throughout this process, and for hosting the Australian All Abilities Open as our first IGF Covered Competition. Their willingness to embrace this new framework and work alongside us to bring it to life has been invaluable. This is an important first step, and one we are proud to be taking together."

The training and first Classification Sessions have been led by the IGF’s Head of Classification, Sam Taylor, as part of a wider programme to establish an international network of qualified Classifiers capable of delivering Classification opportunities at IGF Covered Competitions around the world.

Sam Taylor, IGF Head of Classification, said:

“A great deal of work has gone into developing the assessment methods and ensuring they are appropriate for golf. Our focus now is on making sure those methods are applied properly and consistently.

“Training the Classifiers is an essential part of that process. These first Classification Evaluation Sessions also give us an opportunity to put the framework into practice, learn from the experience and continue strengthening the system as more athletes are classified.”

The Classification Evaluation Sessions take place ahead of the Australian All Abilities Open, which will be held from 11-13 November at the Sandhurst Club in Melbourne.

Delivered in partnership with Golf Australia, the 54-hole championship will become the first IGF Covered competition conducted under the new Classification Rules. The event will showcase some of the World’s leading golfers with Disabilities while introducing the new IGF Classification framework to athletes, National Federations, and the wider golfing community.

It also marks an important step in the IGF’s work to establish a stronger international competition pathway, including more Classification opportunities, IGF Counting Events, and the development of an internationally classified athlete pool.

The IGF will continue working with the IPC, its National Federation Members and international partners to expand Classification opportunities, develop and certify Classifiers, and strengthen the scientific evidence supporting its Classification system.

This work forms part of the IGF’s ongoing commitment to building a fair, credible and sustainable international competition structure and supporting golf’s ambition to join the Paralympic Games programme.

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About the International Golf Federation

The International Golf Federation (IGF) was founded in 1958 and is the recognised International Federation within the Olympic and Paralympic Movement. The headquarters of the IGF is located on the shores of Lake Geneva in Lausanne, Switzerland. The official website for the IGF is igfgolf.org.

About Golf Australia

Golf Australia is the national governing body for golf, responsible for growing and supporting the game with its members and the broader industry to enable more Australians to play more golf