The Shire London welcomed golfers representing Special Olympics Great Britain and the Disabled Golf Society for a unique nine-hole competition.

Players were joined by members from the Barnet based club at the event which saw able-bodied golfers compete in teams with players with both physical and intellectual disabilities.

The ten team tournament took place on the back nine of the championship-quality Seve Ballesteros Masters Course.

The event was won by a team headed by Disabled Golf Society campaigner Stan Bembenek, who lost a leg to cancer and balances on one leg to swing the club.

He plays off a 21-handicap and said: “The Special Olympics GB athletes and The Shire London members and staff were all very cooperative and joined in with the inclusive spirit of the day.

“We hope to establish a London Disabled Open golf tournament in 2013, and The Shire would be the perfect venue.”

Emily Onley, Sport and Services Manager at Special Olympics GB, added: “It was a great day for Special Olympics Great Britain athletes.

“Not only did they have the chance to play on such a prestigious golf course, but they were also welcomed into the golf club community with open arms.”

The event was organised by Cae Menai Davis, a professional golfer based at The Shire London who has set up The Golf Trust as a vehicle to promote inclusivity in the sport.

He stated the club will look to hold another competition at the club in the future after the successful event.

“We wanted to bring together some of the inspirational people involved in disabled golf in the UK,” he said.

“We will definitely be doing this again at The Shire London. It is vital that work continues to promote inclusivity throughout golf in the UK.”

Following the event the club are launching several initiatives to encourage golfers with disabilities to play at the club.

For more information visit http://www.theshirelondon.com/.