The inaugural World Disability Championship got underway this week at the One Way Golf Club in Tsukuba, Japan.

The 54 hole stroke play, multi
disability tournament is the first step in a collaborative approach between
nations to have a World Championship every two years and one of the
International Olympic Committees requirements for golf to be consider entry
into future Paralympic Games.

Australia is one of 17
nations competing in this year’s Championship.

President
of the Japan Disabled Golf Association, Seijyo Sato said, "This tournament
is the first to have all nations contribute to the staging of the event."

"It
has opened dialogue with various disabled golf organisations around the world.
An important step forward for disabled golf." he said.

Geoff
Nicholas (NSW), Shane Luke (NSW), Graham Kenyon (NSW), Mike Rolls (VIC) and
James Gribble (Captain, NSW) are proudly representing Australia under the
watchful eye of coach Christian Hamilton and head PGA Professional at Sandhurst Golf Club.

"The team has had good
preparation with an emphasis on maintaining diet and hydration in what it a
gruelling test of stamina for most players competing." Hamilton said.

After a moderate start,
Australia settled in to their rounds early with the challenge for all players
to keep the double bogies off the scorecard with squally conditions making
scoring  tough for all players.

Shane Luke was one shot
back after the first round with a 76 (+4) playing the last 15 holes in only 2
over par in testing weather conditions

One Way Golf Club is
located in the north of Tokyo and is designed by a prestigious American golf
course designer, Pete Dye.

Hamilton,
along with fellow PGA
Professional Stuart Leong, pioneered the
Limbs 4 Life training program, providing amputees and those born without limbs
with the opportunity to become involved and have the confidence to participate
in golf.

The World Disability
Championship will run from September 28 – October 3 2014