After a two-year break due to the pandemic, planning is in full swing for the 2022 edition of the United World Games, which will be held from June 16 – 19 in Klagenfurt/Carinthia. For the very first time in the history of the Games, a golf competition will be part of the international event, which means that 14 sports will be represented at the next UWG. The winners will be determined in a three-day individual tournament.
The United World Games, held under the patronage of the UNESCO with participants from more than 40 nations, have been an annual highlight in the field of international youth sports ever since they were first held in 2005. 2022 will finally see a comeback of the popular event, which features about 2000 matches at more than 30 sports venues.
Golf to be introduced as new sport
A new discipline will be added to the sports repertoire at the United World Games 2022: golf will be included as the 14th sport, marking its debut. “We have twelve beautiful golf courses in Carinthia, each with a different character. Therefore, we are very pleased that children and young people from all over the world now have the opportunity to participate in an international tournament on two of our best golf courses and also enjoy the Carinthian hospitality,” says a delighted Mag. Markus Polessnig, project manager golf of Carinthia Tourism.
Diverse and exciting venues
The golf competition will take place on two beautiful golf courses in central Carinthia: that of the Jacques Lemans Golf Club St. Veit-Längsee and the Golfpark Klopeinersee-Südkärnten. The individual tournament for girls and boys will feature different age groups between U12 and U21, whereby the focus will not only be on the sporting competition but also on the international get-together of young athletes. Both golf clubs are centrally located and can be reached quickly and easily from Klagenfurt – in order to also do justice to the sustainable idea and concept of the United World Games and to avoid individual car journeys, a shuttle service will be installed for all participants between Klagenfurt and the golf courses.
Two formats for all classes
On each of the first two tournament days cannon starts are scheduled for the morning and the afternoon. “All winners will be determined on Sunday at the final round in Klopein, for which the 72 best golfers are qualified,” explains Stephan Gürtler, the UWG golf tournament director. Participants with a handicap of up to 18.0 have the choice between stroke play and Stableford, all higher handicaps (above 18.0) play in the Stableford format.