Amid growth in participation among women at the elite level of competition for disability golfers, one player continues to stand out above the rest.
Daphne van Houten, who was diagnosed with Scoliosis – a curvature of the spine – when she was 12, is the long-time top-ranked female player.
Already an established competitor internationally when the G4D Tour was launched in partnership by the DP World Tour and EDGA, the Dutch golfer has seen first-hand the impact the initiative has had in promoting inclusion and providing a platform to compete at the highest level.
This week sees the G4D Tour bring its fourth campaign to a close in Mallorca, with the Series Finale – held in conjunction for the first time with the Rolex Grand Final supported by The R&A on the HotelPlanner Tour – open to just winners of G4D Tour events and the highest available players from Gross and Net world rankings.
While she is the lone woman among the ten players competing across the two formats at Club de Golf Alcanada, Van Houten is in no doubt about the progress in the women's game, with her successful title defence at The G4D Open in May a particular highlight in 2025.
“I hear a lot of people, some of whom have the same disability, tell me that they have started to play golf, or who have come to me for advice ahead of undergoing an operation for scoliosis," she said.
“It’s amazing to see how many women start to play golf now compared to when I started
“I am not the kind of person who will say that I am part of the reason for that, but it is amazing to see the growth in women’s golf."
“The Net events have been a very good idea,” she added. “It is amazing for those players to experience the G4D Tour.
“In the Gross events, it is mainly the same people who compete. Bringing in the Net events enables others to experience what we have experienced.
“For me, inviting two females to each event is a very big step."
Van Houten takes her place alongside G4D stars from the men’s game in the Gross event, alongside the likes of Kipp Popert and Brendan Lawlor, who won the men’s event at The G4D Open in May.
Such is their high level of performance, winning titles on the G4D Tour is not her primary objective.
“Playing against the guys is a tough job because their games are also growing, they are amazing," she explained. "It’s becoming more and more tough to get near them.
“Just being here is amazing, already. Still, with so many women now playing and for me to be the only one who is here [at the season finale] for me is already a victory.
"I am not expecting to beat any of the guys. I just want to have fun, enjoy the week and play the best that I can."
Her task on the course over the past two years has been further increased as she continues to deal with the effects of long COVID, which leaves her this week unsure whether she will play a full pre-tournament practice round.
“Doing that takes away the energy that I need for the tournament, perhaps just to finish a round,” explains Van Houten.
“I know that I can play the three rounds, I have just played the European Championships, but I may go in blind and thereby at least have some extra energy.”
As such, whatever the result in Spain, Van Houten's main wish for 2026 is that fitness isn't so much of a hindrance.
"Right now, I am stuck in the house a lot because I don't have the energy to go out," she said.
"For me the biggest goal going forward is to get better with lasting effects, hopefully find some progress and start to enjoy the practice again.
"For sure, I am competitive and I still have many more goals that I want to achieve, while enjoying all the beautiful trips we get to make as part of the G4D Tour."
