LAST Wednesday, DGA (Disabled Golf Association) hosted their first golf open taster session at Calverley Golf Club in Leeds.
The idea behind this was to invite disabled people to "welcome to golf" taster events for those thinking about taking up the game in the form of friendly coaching on the driving range and putting greens.
Around 10 people including carers turned up.
This wasn’t about the numbers, but was more about ‘planting the seed’ to see how it would go and where it could lead to.
This was well supported by England Golf, Yorkshire Golf Development, the Bradford & District Union of Golf Clubs (represented by Chris Wren), as well as the golf club.
The afternoon was run by PGA Professional Jeff Whittam, along with assistant coach Dan Atkins.
Whittam, who has done coaching for disabled people before, knew how the afternoon would go and how to showcase the skills needed, as well as how to interact with the attendees.
It all started by showing the attendees how to swing the club and hit balls on the driving range.
That was then followed by a short game chipping session and towards the end, with putting.
Atkins, assistant coach for Calverley Golf Club, who is Titleist TPI certified, said: “Golf is for everybody.
“There are so many different levels of golf, you don’t have to hit the ball 300 yards to enjoy it.
“Anybody, in any walk of life, can take up golf, and I think with golf, all it takes is one good swing or one good shot or connection with the ball, and you’re hooked.
“A disability is not an inability, there should be no boundaries on what can be achieved by your limitations.”
The Disabled Golf Association are hoping to work closely with Calverley Golf Club in the near future in the creation of the Disabled Golf Association's first ever golf hub.
This would not only to cater for disabled people who are thinking about trying golf for the first time, but also offer coaching for members, with a view to helping them improve and hone their golfing skills.
Calverley Golf Club is all set on one level and is very accessible, with wider doors on entrance, no steps and double doors to be opened if required.
Neil Patrick, event organiser and a trustee of the Disabled Golf Association, said: “I would like to thank Calverley Golf Club for allowing us to hold our taster event, Jeff and Dan for their coaching and making us feel well at home on the day.
“It was nice to see people come and not let their disability stop them from having a go and enjoying themselves.
“I would also like to thank Terry Collins, who is Yorkshire President, for attending and for his support, as well as the Yorkshire Union of Golf Clubs and Yorkshire Development group, who helped fund towards the day.
“England Golf gave us their support too, helping before the event to make sure we had things start off well.”
Established in 2010, the Disabled Golf Association is an England-wide volunteer-run registered charity.
One of the DGA’s main aims is to make golf more inclusive and part of that is ensuring disabled people can play golf.
Sometimes it helps to be with like-minded people, who understand where you are at with your disability, so you feel comfortable out on the course or in a social circle.
Everyone is welcome, as the one thing everyone has in common is a love of the game of golf.
The Disabled Golf Association is a charity and to help run events such as this, they rely on volunteers, sponsorship, and donations.
If you would like to donate or become a sponsor, please contact neil.patrick@disabledgolf.org.uk.
More information can be found about the DGA on their website www.disabledgolf.org.uk
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