tel:01666 503918

Photograph © Catrin Arwel. www.catrinarwelphotography.com

The Disabled Golf Assocation is looking for interested parties to sponsor our events throughout 2013. If you are interested and would like further information please contact one of our DGA National Co-ordinators:

Christopher Smith (Chairman) – 01666 503918
email: enquiries@disabledgolfassociation.co.uk

Graeme Robertson (Director & National Co-ordinator) – 07932 061680
email: graeme.robertson@disabledgolfassociation.co.uk

Nicki Jones (Director & Wales Co-ordinator) – 07794 593618
email: nicki.jones@disabledgolfassociation.co.uk

Disabled Golf Society is proud to announce that Grip-Par are to sponsor their first event at Boothferry Golf Club, nr Goole, on Thursday 7th June. Grip-Par are a relatively new company and Inventor Stuart Walsh hopes to have a long term relationship with the disabled golf society with Boothferry been the first of many sponsored events. Here is their companies mission statement.

Grip Aid Ltd est. 2010 has been developing and manufacturing support and sports gloves with a unique strapping system that relieves pressure and tension from the hand and forearm giving users ultimate hold on objects with minimal pressure applied. We have found that applying our strapping system to a number of purpose built gloves we have benefitted general people and those that suffer from a physical or medical condition affecting their hands.

Grip-Par - Ladies

Grip-Par - Mens

Grip-Par - Juniors

Grip-Par® products are for everybody but find they particularly benefit people from young to old with conditions that affect their grip such as; Arthritis, Stroke, MS, Sports Injuries, Disfigurement and other physical or medical conditions. Our mission is to supply all people with a glove product that reduces the chances of injury and long term damage and also to aid those that cannot get back into any physical activity due to their condition. The current government policy on physical activity (Author: Department of Health, Physical Activity, Health Improvement and Prevention Publication Date 29 April 2004) is very diverse across all age groups of which we cater our gloves for (5years – 85years) and we look to return as many people suffering with serious, mild and permanent conditions back to physical activity as possible with the use of our gloves and approach governing bodies, trusts, associations and major retailers with the intentions of generating more awareness and saturation of our products in the UK, EU and World marketplace.

We can apply our strapping system to a number of glove types delivering specialist made gloves and product to wider markets and users. We ensure quality and credibility by received approval and testimonials from governing bodies such as the R&A (Grip-Par Golf Gloves) and Advanced PGA professionals as well as a host of other organisations and trusts.

www.grip-par.com

A team of four disabled golfers, ably led by Mark Walters as Captain, were invited to play the challenging links course at Lady Captain’s Charity Golf Day at Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club. The team were comprised of local DGS members representing a variety of disabilities.

The day raised over £27k for the Paralympic Team. Stan Bembenek, Vice President for DGS, and Graeme Robertson, National Co-Ordinator, took part in a series of challengies along with members too. Graeme chatted with Matthew Pinsent and the after dinner speach was given by 800m Gold Medal Winning Paralympian Danny Crates.To see more images of the Paralympic Team Charity Day, please click here.

Our first DGS event of 2012 to attract new members and generate awareness that disabled people can enjoy and play golf was held at Lydd Golf Club on Wednesday 14^th March. Players had travelled from far afield to help generate awareness in the Kent area that disabled people can play and enjoy golf – as well as the therapeutic benefits of taking part in such a social occasion. Disabilities included MS, Amputees, and others with mobility issues.

Graeme Robertson, National Events Co-Ordinator for DGS said “When I was diagnosed with MS and couldn’t balance or stand so well, and with a general weakness all down my right side, I thought my playing days were behind me. After being a keen sportsman, if you’d asked me what I missed the most since my diagnosis it would be not playing golf. 12 years later here I am returning to golf and all the stronger for it, having improved my core strength and concentration”. He went on “My thanks to Lydd GC which has to be one of the most welcoming and best centres for people with disabilities that we’ve visited this year, and members for their patience with us – we are looking forward to returning in August”

The winner was Lydd member, Mark Walters from Folkestone with 38 stableford points, 2^nd was Keith Dolman from Essex (28 points) and 3^rd was Chris Reed from (26 points). The DGS are returning to Lydd Golf Club in the summer, but for information on forth coming events please go to the events sections of the website.

DGS Event – Lydd Golf Club 14th March (16-3-12)

The Disabled Golf Society is holding a series of taster golfing sessions throughout country, either running in conjunction with are golfing events or at specially arrange venues. The latest disabled buggies and equipment will be available to try out on the driving range and golf course. Professional Coaches will be on hand to provide professional guidance to help you with your game. If you are interested in participating please select the Taster Session you like to take part in and complete the on form.

Alternatively you can contact
Christopher Smith on 01666 503918 or
email: enquiries@disabledgolfsociety.com;
Graeme Robertson, DGS South Co-ordinator on 07932 061680 or
email: graeme.robertson@disabledgolfsociety.com
Nicki Jones, DGS Wales Co-orinator on 01874 712852 or
email: nicki.jones@disabledgolfsociety.com;

Latest Academy Taster Session for 2012

Next set of Tasters Sessions to be confirmed

Over the past 2 years, The Disabled Golf Society, has always looked at providing the right golf venues and planned events for our ever increasing numbers of members. We regularly seek venues on behalf of our members and visitors, that are actually “disabled friendly”. We only choose the best courses, most proficient coaches, venues which have a supply of the all important on course buggies, covered practice areas and all accessible without unnecessary steps or stairs. We estimate that less than 20% of current courses meet this standard.

Our objective therefore, is to identify these courses and hopefully persuade others to improve their facilities to accommodate us, both within the UK and beyond. So we are asking for your help once again, by providing information of golf courses/venues, that you would personally recommend. Once we have collected the information, we are looking to provide a new Disabled Golf Course Guide section on the website that will give a list of different golf courses/venues, which are disabled friendly.

We Need Your Help

Please recommend a course that you know will fit our requirements. If you know of a suitable course which may even offer special discounts to our members please complete the online form below.

The Disabled Golf Society Events List

Building on the success of 2011, we have been able to book more venues across the country for 2012.  Listed below is the 2012 schedule.

March

Monday 19th – Kingswood, Thorne Road, Hatfield, South Yorkshire
Thursday 22nd – Bird Hills, Drift Road, Hawthorn Hill, Berkshire
Wednesday 28th – Abbey Hill, Monks Way, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire

April

Monday 2nd – Peterstone Lakes, Wentloog, Cardiff, South Wales
Thursday 5th – Sharply Golf Club, Seaham, County Durham
Saturday 7th – New Malton Golf Club, New Malton, Royston, Cambridgeshire
Tuesday 10th – Mardyke Valley, South Ockenden, Essex
Monday 16th – Billingbear Park, Wokingham, Berkshire
Wednesday 18th – Trent Lock, Long Eaton, Nottinghamshire
Monday 23rd – Cradoc Golf Club, Brecon, Powys, South Wales
Tuesday, 24th – Lichfield, Staffordshire
Thursday 26th – Hart Common, Wigan, Lancashire
Monday 30th – Cumberwell Park, Bradford uopn Avon, Wiltshire

May

Thursday 3rd – Leeds Golf Centre, Leeds, West Yorkshire
Thursday 10th – Stoneleigh Deer Park, Coventry, Warwickshire
Tuesday 15th – Houghwood, St Helens, Lancashire
Tuesday 15th – Wernddu Golf Club, Abergavenny, South Wales
Wednesday 16th – New Malton, Royston, Cambridgeshire
Monday 21st – Longhurst Hall, Morpeth, Northumberland
Tuesday 22nd – Foxbridge, Billingshurst, East Sussex
Tuesday 29th – Bondhay, Worksop, Nottinghamshire
Thursday 31st – Crane Valley Golf Club, Verwood, Dorset

June

Tuesday 5th – Alice Spring, Kemeys Commander, Usk, South Wales
Wednesday 6th – Whittlebury Park, Towcester, Northants
Thursday 7th – Boothferry Golf Club, Goole
Monday 11th – TBA, Devon
Tuesday 12th – Alnmouth Golf Club, Northumberland
Monday 18th – Sandmartins, Wokingham, Berkshire
Thursday 21st – Gortsey Hill, Crewe, Cheshire
Tuesday 26th – Horsehay Village Golf Club, Telford, Shropshire
Friday 29th – Horton Park, Epsom, Surrey

July

Monday 2nd – Hay on Wye, Herefordshire
Wednesday 4th – Norwood Park, Southwell, Nottinghamshire
Tuesday 10th – Craig Waugh Memorial Trophy, Dunston Hall, Norwich, Norfolk
Thursday 19th – Northallerton, Thirsk, North Yorkshire
Thursday 19th – Llantrisant and Pontyclun GC, Llantrisant, South Wales
Tuesday 24th – North v’s South Match play, Kilworth Springs, North Kilworth, Leicestershire
Tuesday 31st – Rother Valley, Sheffield, South Yorkshire

August

Wednesday 1st – Morlais Castle, Pant, Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales
Thursday 2nd – Lydd, Romney Marsh, Kent
Thursday 9th – Mid Yorkshire, Pontefract, East Yorkshire
Thursday 9th – Rockmount Golf Club, Carryduff, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Monday 13th- Bromsgrove, Worcstershire
Monday 20th – Houldsworth, Stockport, Cheshire/Lancs
Tuesday 21st – Stevenage, Hertfordshire
Tuesday 28th – Goodwood, Sussex
Thursday 30th – Beacon Park, Wigan Lancashire

September

Tuesday 4th – Bristol, Avon
Thursday 6th – Willow Valley, Brighouse, West Yorkshire
Friday 14th – Sunday 16th – Auld Enemies Cup, Midlands TBA
Thursday 20th – Ingleby Barwick, Stockton on Tees, North East
Thursday 27th – Ryde, Isle of Wight

October

Wednesday 3rd – Pedham Place Golf Centre, London Road, Swanley, Kent
Thursday 4th – Kingswood, Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Friday 12th – Rhondda Golf Club, Tonypandy, South Wales

Please note these dates and venues are subject to change

To enquire about any of the events listed please contact Graeme Robertson, National events Co-ordinator on 0118 9790193 / 07932 061680 or email: robertson1963@hotmail.co.uk

The Disabled Golf Society is proud to announce that Sport England have invested their support in disabled golf. As part of their Sportsmatch Programme, the DGS, can increase its awareness, continue to grow and progress as a society. It will also help provide more facilities, events, equipment etc and to continue the good work the DGS has achieved, by encouraging more disabled people to try golf for the first time.

About Sport England

Sport England is focused on the creation of a world-leading community sport system.

We invest National Lottery and Exchequer funding in organisations and projects that will grow and sustain participation in grassroots sport and create opportunities for people to excel at their chosen sport. Our structure reflects this focus

Formerly known as the English Sports Council, we work in partnership with UK Sport, which has responsibility for elite success, and the Youth Sport Trust, which is focused on PE and school sport.

Accountable to Parliament through the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, we also have a role protecting sports provision as a statutory consultee on planning applications that affect playing fields.

For further information about Sport England please follow the link www.sportengland.org or contact Christopher Smith on 01666 503918

With the successful launch of Disabled Golf Society Taster Session throughout 2011, the aim for 2012, is to provide Academy Taster Sessions to all DGS events, thanks to the kind support of Sport England. The aim is to encourage and promote disabled golf to people with disabilities, of any age, allowing them to try out the facilities and equipment supplied. A professional coach will be on hand to provide the necessary encouragement, out on the golf course, to get the new golfers started. For those in wheelchairs, specially adapted buggies, with tilt and swivel system is available to use.

Christopher Smith, a leading member of Disabled Golf Society, has been delighted by the response of the 2011 Taster Sessions and hopes that through the kind support from Sport England, this will encourage more people to come along and have a go in 2012. For further information call the DGS on 01666 503918 or email: enquiries@disabledgolfsociety.com

sponsored by

NatWest Community Force is a new initiative thats been setup to work with local communities to support the people, projects and charities making a real difference where you live. The Disabled Golf Society is one of many charities who have registered, and with your help, might be selected as one the project that the NatWest Community Force will support in the future. We need all non-members and members to registered their VOTE OF SUPPORT via the LINK HERE. The more support we get, the greater the chance of NatWest’s support.

Your support will be greatly appreciated.