Welcoming a group of youngsters from the Glasgow area to enjoy golf games, challenges and some coaching was a highlight for the Golf Foundation team on the Monday practice day at The Open in The R&A SwingZone at Royal Troon.
Young people with a disability from organisations including the Glasgow Scouts and charity Enable Glasgow were encouraged to chip, swing and putt their way through the easy-to-play and learn Golfway format that is being used by the Golf Foundation in schools and community groups in the UK. This fun play and learning session was organised by EDGA, the acknowledged international authority on G4D (golf for the disabled); the not-for-profit organisation which is seeking to encourage 500,000 new players of all ages into the game, from ‘samplers’ and ‘participants’ to ‘competitors’.
Of the group of young people taking part, Andrew played Golfway games in the Golf Foundation area, watched by his father Alan, and Andrew said: “I haven’t played before really and it was very interesting, and all the games were good. The Open has been exciting for us.”
Ellie, aged 19, who is a talented tennis player and plays from a wheelchair to a high standard, received her first golf coaching experience from EDGA’s Head of Instruction and Coaching Mark Taylor, a Fellow PGA Professional.
Ellie said of her session: “It has made a big difference to know how to position myself to turn and make a good swing, and I didn’t know I could swing one handed, which I can! Mark has given me lots of confidence and I’m keen to have another go soon.”
Mark Taylor added: “Ellie was a wonderful person to coach. Through her natural ability and her experience as a good tennis player she picked everything up so quickly. The key thing now for Ellie and the other new samplers is to ensure they can access exciting follow-on opportunities soon.”
Both EDGA and leading young people’s golf charity the Golf Foundation are supported by The R&A, which provides the innovative and exciting SwingZone in Troon’s Spectator Village for the week of The Open to inspire children and families to start and stay in golf – the two organisations sharing this space with colleagues from The PGA and Scottish Golf.
EDGA has trained a cohort of staff from leading audit, tax and consulting firm RSM, to deliver golf in the community in different parts of the UK, including recent sessions to develop community groups around Glasgow.
Present to lead the session in the SwingZone, RSM volunteer Conor Rea played a fantastic role in encouraging the new players, with special thanks to Conor from the EDGA and Golf Foundation teams.
The new students of the game had a range of disabilities but all clearly enjoyed the experience. As they explored the venue at Troon on their visit they also watched a number of players on the course including none other than Tiger Woods.
Golf Foundation Head of Development Martin Crowder said: “Thanks to the great support of The R&A we have the opportunity to work with colleagues from The PGA, Scottish Golf and EDGA all week at Royal Troon. Together we expect to welcome thousands of youngsters and their parents over this historic week, where the SwingZone is adjacent to the 15th fairway as we watch the game’s greats walk by and play. Our team is passionate about making golf a fun, inclusive and inspiring game for youngsters of all abilities and we were delighted to support the EDGA team who are doing so much to open up the game for all. This group of youngsters could enjoy a priceless first experience of learning golf by having fun before watching the greatest players in the game.”
During the week, Scottish Golf has arranged to bring nearly 30 groups of youngsters from regional golf clubs, while a team of professional coaches from The PGA are giving free lessons to Open spectators.
