Pic by James Douglas 03/03/11. © Swindon Advertiser
Throughout March and into April 2011, the Disabled Golf Society held three free Taster Sessions, where people with disabilities were encouraged to try the game of golf, coached by experts using the specially designed golf buggies and equipment. With the first Taster Session held at Broome Manor Golf Club, Swindon, the second at Cumberwell Park Golf Club, Bradford Upon Avon and the third at East Horton Golf Centre, Hampshire, the response was overwhelming.
Each Taster Session day comprised of the new golfers having a try, out on the golf course, using the facilities supplied with the aid of a professional. For those in wheelchairs, they could take a turn in a specially adapted ‘Stand Up And Play’ buggy with its tilt and swivel system. It allowed the golfers to stop at the ball, use the controls to elevate themselves back to their real height and attempt to play their shot as if they were standing up. The day ended with refreshments and discussion about how The Disabled Golf Society can help.
Christopher Smith, who setup the Disabled Golf Society and was very pleased that so many people had come along to have go, said. “I’m delighted by the response we’ve had and I hope other people will find the same enjoyment, that I have, in playing golf. If you are disabled and want to have go, please go to our website www.disabledgolfsociety.com to register or ring on 01666 503918.”
To see more photographs of the Taster Sessions please click here and for more articles about the Taster Sessions follow the links to Swindon Advertiser and BBC Sport – Golf.
Categories: News Tags: BBC Sport, bradford upon avon, broome manor, buggy, Christopher Smith, cumberwell park, Disabled Golf Society, east horton, golf, hampshire, Standup and Play Foundation, swindon, Swindon Advertiser, taster session, tilt swivel
The Disabled Golf Society and Standup and Play Foundation are working as partners in the UK to promote the ParaGolfer® to all members.
The ParaGolfer® was designed especially for disabled golfers to overcome the physical limitation when playing golf. With its patented stand-up device, strong chassis frame and combination of practical know-how, the ParaGolfer® can cope with gradients of up to 30 degrees and sideways inclinations of about 17 degrees.
The ParaGolfer® will turn automatically into a safe position should these limits be exceeded. The design allows for an absolutely secure footing in any position and its unequalled stability when the golfer is hitting the ball. With it innovative ideas for maximum playing fun, the all-terrain ParaGolfer® enables disabled golfers performance improvements comparable to those of non-handicapped players.
Anthony Netto, who is an international ambassador for challenged Golf and the best wheelchair Golfer in the world has this to say about the ParaGolfer®
“When learning how to walk you have to stand up once more than you fall down. This applies for both a small child and an adult. It holds true for learning how to walk, but in a transferred sense also for life itself. With a handicap it is an even steeper challenge. I have experienced that myself. For every physically handicapped person the ParaGolfer® is an important and valuable tool that gives you a bit more freedom.”
About Anthony Netto
Anthony Netto is an international ambassador for challenged Golf and the best wheelchair Golfer in the world. He was born in South Africa in 1963 and has been using a wheelchair since 1994 as a result of an auto accident he wasn’t responsible for. He plays Golf actively with the aid of the ParaGolfer, which he developed together with some friends. Anthony Netto is the es-trainer of the German Disabled Golf Team, acts a consultant for handicapped golfers worldwide and is the initiator of the “KidSwing” program.
For further information about the Standup and Play Foundation please visit www.standup-and-play.com
