The Czech Disabled Open 2024 took place on August 23–25 at Golf Resort Česká Lípa in the Czech Republic. The tournament was part of the European Disabled Golf Tour (EDGA Tour) and attracted participants from various countries, including Finland.
Turkey’s Mehmet Kazan successfully defended his championship title, with his victory reflecting consistent and strong performance under all weather conditions. Kazan’s game showcased both strategic course management and technical skill. As the 2023 champion, he played a steady and methodical tournament, securing another victory and continuing his winning streak in this prestigious competition.
Tournament Structure and Weather Conditions
The event began with a practice round on Friday, August 23, followed by two official competition rounds over the next two days. The weather conditions varied significantly, requiring players to adapt quickly. Saturday was sunny and warm, while Sunday brought rain and wind, challenging players’ skills and resilience.
Mehmet Kazan Defends His Title
The first day of competition was exceptionally warm and calm, even by summer standards, making the course itself the primary opponent for players. Last year’s champion, Mehmet Kazan, performed best on the first day, finishing the opening round at +2 (74). Jiří Janda trailed by three strokes, while Slovakia’s Jaroslav Šalaváry stood third with 81 strokes. Among the Finnish players, Johannes Siikonen had the best first round, tying for 4th place.
The wind picked up significantly during the second round, adding another layer of difficulty to the game. Despite the challenging conditions, Mehmet Kazan improved his score from the first round by one stroke (73), adding yet another Czech International Champion title to his growing list of achievements. Kazan particularly excelled on the back nine with exceptional putting, making four birdies and no bogeys. Jiří Janda secured the silver medal for the second consecutive year (77+75), while Jaroslav Šalaváry settled for bronze (81+77).
Finnish Players’ Performance
Finland was represented in the tournament by Johannes Siikonen and Tony Siven from Master Golf. Although both players gave their best efforts, their final standings fell short of matching Kazan and the other international top players. However, both Finns demonstrated great sportsmanship and determination, which are crucial in a sport where every shot counts.
The best Finnish result came from Johannes Siikonen, known for his precise putting and strong course play. During the competition, he showcased his ability to adapt to varying conditions. His opening day was promising, but Sunday’s challenging weather impacted his performance, particularly on the greens, preventing a repeat of his first day’s success. Final position: 6th/49.
Tony Siven, on the other hand, played a steady game over both days. He delivered impressive performances, particularly in his driving game. However, occasional struggles with difficult course conditions hindered him from contending at the very top. Final position: 10th/49.
Significance and Impact of the Competition
The Czech Disabled Open 2024 was an important event for disabled golfers worldwide to showcase their skills and compete on equal footing. The tournament provided participants with an opportunity to challenge themselves both on and off the course, highlighting golf’s universal appeal as a sport where physical limitations are no barrier to excellence.
Although Johannes Siikonen and Tony Siven did not reach the podium, it is essential that Finnish top-level disabled golfers participate in international competitions, inspiring new players to take up the sport.