Meet the players with disabilities heading to the Waterfall City Tournament of Champions

SADGA are thrilled to return to the Sunshine Tour’s Waterfall City Tournament of Champions, supported by Attacq and WCMC, which will be played at Royal Johannesburg’s famed East Course from 22-25 May.

They’re proud to welcome an elite field featuring international stars Juan Postigo Arce and Issa Nlareb, alongside South Africa’s own David Watts, Daniël Slabbert, Kelvin van Baalen and Charles Williams.

Six golfers with disabilities will once again compete alongside Sunshine Tour professionals, playing the same course, same conditions, same pin positions and under the same live broadcast coverage.

After a hugely successful debut in 2024, this unique integration gives our players the opportunity to test themselves at the highest level - and brings much-needed attention to G4D - Golf for the Disabled.

Juan Postigo Arce

Juan has a congenital limb deficiency affecting his right leg and competes without the use of a prosthesis. He relies entirely on balance, timing and core strength to produce one of the most admired swings in world golf.

Juan captured the European Championship for Golfers with Disability titles in 2016, 2018 and 2021, reinforcing his status as one of the most accomplished G4D players in Europe.

He has competed in 19 DP World G4D Tour events since 2022, with wins at the G4D Hero Cup and the Volvo Car Scandinavian Mixed and remains a consistent contender at the top of the WR4GD rankings.

He has become one of the most recognisable faces in G4D - respected for both his elite performance and his influence in growing the game globally.

After competing at the G4D Open at Woburn next month, Juan will head to South Africa to join the SADGA field at the Waterfall City Tournament of Champions - bringing international firepower and flair to one of the most exciting events on the local calendar.

David Watts

Born with fibular hemimelia, David was born without a fibular bone in his left leg and relies dominantly on his upper body to carry out his powerful swing.

With seven events played on the DP World’s G4D Tour, David’s G4D highlight came at the G4D Tour Singapore Classic 2023 when he beat out the world No 1 1 at Laguna National finishing 5-under par.

David finished seventh at the European Individual Championship for Golfers with Disability, played at The Dutch in 2023. In 2024, he won multiple WR4GD events on the AAGT, finished 13th at the G4D Open and topped the AAGT Order of Merit.

In 2023, David became the first golfer with a disability to be nominated at the KZN Sports Awards - an accolade he went on to win. In 2024, he earned a historic nomination at the South African Sports Awards, marking the first time a golfer with a disability has been recognised at this national level.

Daniël Slabbert

Daniël lost his leg in a trampoline accident as a teenager. One of the earliest SADGA competitors, he dominated the national scene - winning five SA Disabled Open titles - before taking a break to focus on coaching.

He returned to competitive golf in 2023 and quickly re-established his form with a top-3 finish at the EDGA Algarve Masters in early 2024.

He opened the Cape Town Disabled Open with a six-under par round and went on to win the event, then followed it with another victory at the Pearl Valley Disabled Open to close out the 2024 season.

With multiple WR4GD wins on SADGA’s All Abilities Golf Tour during the 2024 season, Daniël has proven himself once again to be a fierce and reliable competitor.

Issa Nlareb

Issa made his breakthrough in 2017 with wins in regional and national events, including the Senegal Open. A month later, while playing in the Ein Bay Open on the Alps Tour, he became critically ill. Bacterial meningitis led to sepsis - requiring the amputation of both legs, the loss of four fingers on his left hand and two on his right.

Against overwhelming odds, Issa returned to golf with a one-of-a-kind adapted swing. He now competes on the G4D Tour, has played the US Adaptive Open and won the EDGA Pas de Calais Handigolf in 2024. He also finished 10th at the 2023 European Individual Championship.

Issa is one of the few players in the world competing at this level with multiple limb amputations. His comeback has made him a symbol of resilience, and his success on the international stage continues to inspire players around the world.

Kelvin van Baalen

Kelvin sustained severe burn injuries in a paragliding accident, which left lasting impairment. After his recovery, he found golf - and quickly rose through the ranks. In 2024, he won the Durban Disabled Open, adding another title to his growing list of achievements.

Kelvin also serves as an ambassador for SADGA, helping grow the game and raise awareness around golf for people with disabilities.

In 2025, he’s made a statement by winning the Capital City Classic and Platinum Links Classic, placing him as an early Order of Merit contender this season. Calm under pressure, Kelvin has quickly become one of SADGA’s top players to watch.

Charles Williams

Born profoundly deaf, Charles came through the First Swing Program and is now a coach and mentor for SADGA’s Deaf athletes.

In 2025, he captured the SA Deaf Open title in a dramatic two-hole play-off and now sets his sights on representing South Africa at the Deaflympics in Tokyo later this year.

Thanks to the support of the R&A, Charles is currently in his second year of PGA studies, furthering his development both as a competitor and a future coach.

Charles is a true example of development success - both as a competitor and a leader in the Deaf sporting community. He has also secured multiple wins on the AAGT and continues to raise the profile of Deaf golf in South Africa.