DAY THREE of the Disabled Golf week was held at Calverley Golf Club in Leeds.

The event was Supported by England Golf Neil Burke and Jamie Blair along with Laurence Wood, President of the Yorkshire Union of Golf Clubs, as well as a representative from Calverley Phil Dyson – Club Chairman

Neil Burke England Golf Club Support Officer for the North said: “Can I firstly say thanks ever so much for having me along as it was a pleasure to be part of the event and see the great work you are delivering.

"As we know golf is a sport which everyone can enjoy and a big part of our strategic work at England Golf is to make the game more inclusive and bring more diversity into the sport. The work of Calverley Golf Club is real testament and perfect example of an unbelievable project which is enabling people with learning difficulties and disabilities to experience golf and enjoy the game. However, and more importantly, Calverley are showing that golf isn’t a one off and people with learning difficulties and disabilities can engage in the sport and become a real part of golf clubs in their local areas.”

Dave Kirkham, Neil Patrick and John Riordan from the DGA who were also on hand to give support and encouragement throughout the day. W

The day was run by PGA Professional Jeff Whittam, along with assistant coach Dan Atkins. 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 said: “Nothing should be stopping anyone from playing golf, golf can be done anywhere, all you need is a starting point and an end point as well as a club and a ball."

Calverley Golf Club is all set on one level and is a very disability friendly club with good disabled access to all facilities.

Phill Dyson Chairperson of Calverley Golf Club said: “I went to the disability golf day held at Calverley Golf Club, what an inspiration, the pleasure that the participants had was written all over their faces, they would probably have stayed all day if they could. It was also nice to see their careers getting physically involved too. Everyone is looking forward to the next event. Special thanks have to go to Dan Atkins and Jeff Whitham for their magnificent effort."

Neil Patrick, the DGA'S Disabled Golf week organiser and trustee, said: “I would like to thank Calverley Golf Club and for allowing us to hold our taster event together with all the staff who made us very welcome, Jeff and Dan for their coaching and ensuring all our attendees had a great golfing experience, together with Gary Day from the Gary Day foundation."

“It was fantastic to see and very inspirational to watch people come and not let their disability stop them from having a go and enjoying themselves. Breaking down barriers this is what is needed to help disabled golf progress."

The Disabled Golf Association has worked closely with Calverley in the past and it was nice to come back and carry on with the vision. Hopefully a roadmap will be put in place to help open their doors and supported by the DGA working closely together to encourage more people with, either mental or physical disabilities to try our fantastic game of golf.