South East – West Sussex, Rustington
Rustington Golf Centre Limited
Golfers Lane, Angmering,
West Sussex BN16 4NB
Wednesday 27 April 2011
The third event of the season for the Disabled Golf Society (DGS) was held at Rustington Golf Centre, on Wednesday 27/4/2011. The weather was fine and the course was in great condition.
After a unanimous decision to make the most of the opportunity of some tuition from Senior Pro David Llewellyn, players headed straight for the driving range for the morning’s session. All were in agreement that David has a real understanding of the individual needs of disabled people and how they need to adapt their swing. David is well-known in golfing circles having been a player on the European Tour, he is now a well-respected golf coach.
After lunch, twelve disabled players teed off, some on the excellent 9-Hole course with a separate Par-3 Competition running at the same time.
The 9-Hole Competition was won by Lorraine White from Surrey with a Stableford score of 19 points, second was Paul Cunningham from South London (18 points), third was Dave Wilkinson from Oxfordshire (14 points). The Par-3 Competition was won by Jackii Witt from Berkshire who also won the Nearest the Pin Competition on the 9th Hole. Both Lorraine and Jackii have MS co-incidentally, but other players included one-arm players and amputees.
Paul Moody from Hampshire enjoyed his first event with The Disabled Golf Society and decided to make use of the newly delivered DGS single-seater buggies which he managed to operate with his one good arm. Others were on their 2nd or 3rd return visit to a DGS event travelling from afar afield as Essex, Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Hampshire, and East Sussex.
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. We have found that with the right equipment almost all can enjoy the therapeutic benefits golf has to offer. My short game, chipping and putting, is almost as good as it ever was”. He went on “It is about disabled people doing things for themselves but we couldn’t hold our events at all if it wasn’t for our able-bodied volunteers on the day, so I’d particularly like to thank those who gave up their time to come and help. Also a particular thank you to all those who gave their time to volunteer on the day and to the staff at Rustington Golf Centre”.
About Rustington Golf Centre
Formed in 1991, Rustington Golf Centre is one of the best venues on the south coast to learn and improve your golf, with a range of exceptional facilities. It offers a range of unique parkland style golf courses including a 18 hole par 70 , 9 hole par 3, 3 hole par 3 Academy Course and a 18 hole putting green.
All the courses have been formed from the best grade of agricultural land and 5 natural looking lakes have assisted in giving the courses great character. The floating fountains aerating the lakes also help to keep an abundance of beautiful wildlife throughout the year. The greens and tees have been built to the specifications of the USGA and the PGA, which are the highest standards attainable.
