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Disabled Golf Association CIC (DGA) is proud to announce Mark James as Patron and Ambassador, for their not-for-profit community interest company. DGA have over 700 members throughout the UK and some overseas.

Mark James said “Whilst not disabled myself, I did suffer a life threatening illness. I was lucky enough to recover from testicular cancer in 2001 but can understand how difficult it can be living with illness and although for only a short time, a certain amount of disability. So when the opportunity to help the Disabled Golf Association came about, I jumped at it. DGA are doing great work all around the country in making golf possible for people overcoming their disabilities. To be able to show the power of the human mind in overcoming adversity and encouraging other disabled people to return to, or start playing golf, with all the therapeutic values that can bring, is something I feel quite passionate about.”

Graeme Robertson, DGA National Events Co-Ordinator said “We are delighted to be associated with Mark James, a top golfer and former Ryder Cup Captain. I know first hand what a difference playing golf has made to my life, (I have MS) the therapeutic benefits are incredible.”

Mark James to become DGA Patron and Ambassador Press Release

Disabled Golf Association announce 2 year deal with Glenbrae Golf as Official Apparel Supplier to over 700 members.

Disabled Golf Association CIC (DGA) is proud to announce a 2 year deal with Glenbrae Golf as official apparel suppliers to over 700 members across the UK. Acclaimed finest British knitwear manufacturers with their spinning operation based at Spa Mill, Slaithwaite, Yorkshire already support injured servicemen through Help for Heroes but this deal provides sponsorship and support to all disabled golfers throughout the UK.

Andrew Jones, Managing Director for Glenbrae Golf said “This represents an investment in the very heart of “grass roots” of golf and our continued support of noble charities such as “Help for Heroes” and non profit organisation “The Disabled Golf Association CIC” in the UK are of paramount importance to the brand.”

The deal includes sponsorship of Team England over 2 years, with team players all receiving jumpers and polo shirts for competition in the Auld Enemies Cup against the Scottish Disabled Golf Partnership (SDGP). The AEC2013 will be played as a 3-day Ryder Cup format at Kinross GC, Scotland 14-16th June 2013. Previous venues include Slaley Hall in 2011 and Breadsall Priory in 2012.

Graeme Robertson said “We are delighted to be associated with such a prestigious, family-run business as Glenbrae Golf. I know first hand what a difference playing golf has made to my life, (I have MS) the therapeutic benefits are incredible.”

DGA is a pan-disability, not-for-profit organization, membership is free and event costs are kept low so they are always looking for sponsorship for events. Formed 3 years ago, DGA now have over 700 members across the UK and some overseas.

Read full press release
About the heritage of Glenbrae Golf.
Information on ordering, please click here.

We are delighted to announce a new competition for 2013.

In association with BGL Golf, we are proud to launch the ‘Race to Burhill’. This competition will take place at 6 BGL Golf courses (BGL Golf is one of the largest golf course operators in the UK with 22 courses at 10 locations www.bglgolf.co.uk) with the first 3 at each venue qualifying for the final. The final will take place at the prestigious New Course at Burhill Golf Club, Surrey in October with the entry free for the participating golfers being free of charge.

Combined with BGL Golf group commitment to deliver consistently high levels of service, quality and value, each of the BGL Golf venues are unique with there own individual style and character. For members to qualify for the Race to Burhill, they must have played at least one of the 6 DGA Events listed below.

Venues:

Tuesday 7th May 2013 – Thornbury, Bristol

Wednesday 24th July 2013 – Abbey Hill, Milton Keynes, Bucks

Thursday 22nd August 2013 – Ramsdale, Nottingham

Tuesday 27th August 2013 – Birchwood Park, Dartford, Kent

Tuesday 3rd September 2013 – Hoebridge, Woking, Surrey

Tuesday 17th September 2013 – Redbourne, Herts

FINAL :
Tuesday 9th October 2013 – BGL Golf flagship club – Burhill, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, Sponsored by BGL Golf Group
The top 3 players from each of the previous events will be able to attend free of charge.

About Burhill Golf Club
BGL Golf flagship course, Burhill Golf Club, was established in 1907 and offers a delightful combination of classic and modern. The Old Course is a delightful 18 hole parkland course designed by the great Willie Park, whilst the New Course opened in 2001 and home to the Europro Tour is a superb modern course with a wealth of interesting features.

www.burhillgolf-club.co.uk

We at The Disabled Golf Association are pleased and honoured to announce that The Shire London Golf Club are to be one of the first golf club in the United Kingdom which offers FULL DISABLED Membership. This offer is a rare opportunity in the UK and we hope more clubs will follow their lead.

Thanks to the understanding nature of the owner of Shire Golf, Cae Menai Davis, it was not difficult to highlight the main features of this membership scheme. These features are based on the need for fixing the initial membership at a cost which does not put off the person who may be on a limited or fixed income. The amount of golf played can also be a problem for the golfer with disabilities who cannot play on a regular basis. It also includes the use of an “on course” buggy which 90% of disabled players require. It also includes six lessons and full use of the purpose built, disabled friendly club house. Finally, once the completed score cards have been returned a formal CONGU handicap can be obtained.

As a Disabled Golf Association member the Cost of Disabled Membership at The Shire Golf Club is ONLY £100.00 (6 Rounds of Golf, 6 Lessons with Professional Coach and including the use of a golf buggy). Membership is available from April 2013.

For more details you can either contact Christopher Smith on 01666 503918, email: enquiries@disabledgolfassociation.co.uk or contact The Shire London Golf Club  directly:

The Shire London Golf Club
Saint Albans Road,
Barnet, Hertfordshire
EN5 4RE
Tel: 020 8441 7949
Email: golf@theshirelondon.com

After discussion with a lot of the members it has been decided to run the events in Wales as a tour. There is to be ten events where there will be a trophy for each event and a set amount of points available at each event. No prizes will be given to event winners but the prizes for the top 5 of the tour will receive prizes. This again has been decided by the majority of the members saying they would prefer quality over quantity so the top five participants will receive prizes of more value than the standard balls that were presented last year. Trophies still get given for event winners. This will also earn you the chance to represent Wales in International events through the tour order of merit. This will also have an influence on the Handicup project where Team DGA will play France in a Two day team knock out format.

Format and rules of the “Race to Wales” tour.

• All events to be played under the format of Stableford.
• Golfers of a handicap over 36 will play from the Ladies tees.
• The individual can play in as few or as many of the 10 events as the participant wishes to do so, however the more events entered the more chances of winning the overall competition.
• For every entry in to the event you will receive an automatic attendance bonus 10 points
• Winner of individual event 50 points
• Runner up of individual event 35 points
• 3rd place of individual event 28 points
• 4th place of individual event 21 points
• 5th place of individual event 15 points
• 6th place of individual event 10 points

Handicaps
Players are required to keep there handicaps up to date, for members who do not have a club handicap will be monitored by Mike Wallace and myself. Players who have a club and society handicap will be required to play off their club handicap, if there is a difference please contact myself or Mike Wallace to adjust/correct up to date club handicap (certificate may be required). All rounds where handicaps would change at your club please contact myself or Mike Wallace and one of us will arrange for your card to be sent to your club.

Entry Costs
As you’re all aware things are extremely tight and with the lack of funding in Wales we are having to mirror the costs that are in place in England. Each event will cost £35 (buggies included for priority participants) with juniors/students at £20 per event, food for caddies and carers will vary as last year from event to event. The costs of running everything has taken an increase so I cannot delay the increase as we did last year, I can only apologise for this. The bonus for running this tour is that it is more appealing to sponsors, so we hope that if we obtain sponsorship that we can then feed the money back in to the tour, (better prizes, Polo tops etc.) So please take in to consideration that it is not for our gain and remember we are a not for profit organisation.

Race for Wales Tour Dates

Dates may change but are all confirmed. All events that get cancelled due to weather will be played at an alternative date.

(To see the Disabled Golf Association Events Tour 2013, please click here)

Members in the London area were invited to join players from the Special Olympics and members at The Shire for a very special event – The Golf Trust Unity Day. Members from The Disabled Golf Society CIC (DGS) all came away feeling it had been their great privilege to be a small part of this super day organised by Cae Menai Davies. We had a thoroughly enjoyable time playing in 3-balls, one member from The Shire, with one from Special Olympics and one from DGS. Not content with just a massive 3-ball competition on the day, Cae also had a huge group of school children at their Academy Course, and arranged a taster session for DGS member Barry Reed from Hertfordshire who currently plays from his wheelchair after a T5 injury following a motorcycle accident.

It was quite an experience for our newest DGS member, who is totally blind, Billy McAllister and his caddie Sam from Bedfordshire. The event was filmed by Hertfordshire County Council. What can we say about The Shire – ably led by Tony, this is a club who have a true heart for disabled golf – this is hardly surprising as this spectacular course itself was the first Seve Ballesteros designed course in England; the club house and facilities are superb and the members true superstars. We would love to see The Shire set themselves up as a centre in the area where we could direct our members to enjoy great tuition and great golf at reasonable prices going forwards; we hope to work closely with The Shire going forwards to set up a disabled golf tournament to match any other in the UK next year, so exciting times ahead indeed.

To view more images of this event, please click here.

First there was The Paralympics, then there was The Ryder Cup now The Disabled Golf Society combines the two in Kent on the 8th & 9th October for the Golf HandicUP Trophy. A new concept in disabled sport where players with all types of disability will play and compete for the first disabled golf trophy between England and France.

Thanks to European Funding we are able to welcome a team of disabled golfers from France who will enjoy the best coaching and courses that England has to offer. Starting at Lydd Golf Club, Romney Road, Lydd, Romney Marsh, Kent. TN29 9LS (Link to Lydd directions)  on the 8th & 9th October other events will continue at other locations in throughout UK.  In turn we will travel to France to experience the facilities of The St Omer golf facility.

The following taster sessions have been organised and will be delivered by PGA Professionals. All lessons are free and each participant will receive light refreshments as well as a fun introduction to golf and high quality coaching.:

The Oast Golf Centre, Tonge, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME9 9AR
Coach – Gary Bason, gary@gbgolfcoaching.co.uk

Thursday 25th October, 11am-1pm
Thursday 1st November, 11am-1pm
Thursday 8th November, 11am-1pm
Thursday 28th February 11am-1pm
Thursday 7th March, 11am-1pm
Thursday 14th March,  11am-1pm

Chelsfield Lakes Golf Centre, Orpington, Kent, BR6 9BX
Coach – Nigel Lee, nlee.golf@btinternet.com

Sunday 21st October, 2pm-4pm
Saturday 17th November, 2pm-4pm
Sunday 10th February, 2pm-4pm
Saturday 2nd March, 2pm-4pm
Saturday 23rd March, 2pm-4pm
Sunday 14th April 2pm-4pm

Marriott Tudor Park Golf Club, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 4NQ
Coach – Jason Muller, jason.muller@marriotthotels.com

Thursday 11th October, 12.30pm-2.30pm
Thursday 15th November, 12.30pm-2.30pm
Thursday 22nd November, 12.30pm-2.30pm
Thursday 7th February 12.30pm-2.30pm
Thursday 14th March, 12.30pm-2.30pm
Thursday 18th April, 12.30pm-2.30pm

Any disability/learning difficulty groups or individuals who would like to attend please contact the coach to reserve your place(s). Bookings will be taken on a first come first served basis and each session will have a maximum of 15 participants.

For further information please contact:
The Disabled Golf Society, Christopher Smith on 01666 503918 or
email: enquiries@disabledgolfsociety.com

Kent County Council Disability Sport, Contact Mike Bishop
email: mike.bishop@kent.gov.uk

Kent Golf Partnership,  Contact Gary Bason
email: gary@gbgolfcoaching.co.uk

Recently appointed DGS Director, Stan Bembenek from Crowthorne, Berks is also Chairman at his local Reading Town FC. So when they held a Charity Day it seemed only right there should be a team of disabled players from DGS in attendance showcasing the sport that is disabled golf.

The venue was Theale GC which provided some interesting challenges on a mixed day of sunshine and showers. Formerly our Honorary Vice President, Stan is also Marketing Director at electronic components business BT2000; with effect from 1st September 2012, Stan takes over financial responsibility for DGS. In his spare time Stan takes time out to chat with patients at Royal Marsden about his journey with bone cancer, as he says “It’s not what you can’t do, it’s what you can do”.

Competition results are as follows… 3rd Alan Moulpied (DGS) with 35points; 2nd Martin Cooper (Reading Town FC) with 33 points; 1st was Stan Bembenek with 36points. Longest drive was won on the 18th by Michael Overton; Nearest the Pin on the challenging 6th par-3, by Karl Hughes (Reading Town FC).

To view more images of this charity event, please click here.

On the 12th October 2012 Rhondda Golf Club plays host to the first Welsh Disabled Golfers Open Championship. After a long and wet season lets all pray for some good weather because Rhondda GC looks at its best during the early winter months. The golf club are the main sponsors for this amazing event by running the whole day for free, YES that’s what I said FREE. Rhondda golf club are known for being one of the most pro-active clubs around. The field has been limited to 48 players to fight it out playing Stableford over 18 holes with a incentive BEAT THE PRO opportunity on the 7th hole par 3. James from Red Dragon Golf will also be offering to check the loft and lie of your clubs are correct and has kindly donated a Custom made club as a prize.

The format for the day is fairly simple with 12 tee times (four balls) at 8-10 minute intervals starting at 9:00 so if all participants could be so kind to arrive no later than 8:30. The club house will be open at 8:00 for coffee and breakfasts for anyone who wants them (small cost applied). A driving range is less than 200 yards away for anyone who wants to have a warm up. Once everyone has finished and are in the club house at approx 15:00 a FREE Buffet will be open for all involved followed by a prize giving and presentation of the winners trophy.

Mike Wallace will be doing a live scoring system on the projection screen situated in the club house, so make sure you do your cards properly because we don want to see anyone disqualified.

All entries are to be processed and verified by phone or E mail as there is a limited amount of numbers an Buggies available. Please contact me on welshdiasbledgolf@gmail.com or call me on 07794593618.

Rhondda Golf Club course information, Address and contact details can all be found at www.rhonddagolf.co.uk

I have the pleasure to announce the England/Wales v Scotland Teams for the ‘Auld Enemies Cup’ match at Breadsall Priory, Derbyshire to be held on Friday/ Saturday and Sunday 14th/15th and 16th September 2012.

Congratulations to all selected.
The teams has been selected to represent DGS (England/Wales) and SDGP (Scotland) to show the various different disabilities, ages, parts of the country, rewarding loyalty and success through the DGS/SDGP order of merits.

In alphabetical order :

SCOTLAND TEAM

Commiserations to those not selected, keep playing and enjoying your golf. Scotland are hosting in 2013.