Calverley breaks new ground with disabled hub

Calverley Golf Club took their first steps into creating a new golf hub for disabled golfers.

The idea for the day was the brainchild of Neil Patrick, a trustee of the Disabled Golf Association, and PGA Professional Jeff Whittam ran the day helped by Level 1 coach Dan Atkins.

“All credit goes to Neil as it took a lot of work to get this off the ground, I just taught them," explained Whittam. "Neil wants to make Calverley a hub for disabled golf, he came to me originally as I taught his grandson who had autism and that helped him and he became a good player as a junior. Calverley is relatively flat and the clubhouse is one level so it’s easy for access and he wanted to take things a bit further."

The day was well supported with representatives from England, the Yorkshire and Bradford & District Unions as well as the club and double amputee Dave Kirkham was there to demonstrate his highly impressive set of skills.

“He had one of those buggies that can pick him up into an upright position to strike the ball, that was amazing and everyone was taken aback by that. We had about 10 new golfers and they all had a really good time,” added Whittam who has been a PGA Professional for 30 years.

“It was great to have Dan (Atkins) be there to help as he has a disability himself and that’s a great message to show them. The key is to not treat them with a disability, we will treat everybody as one level from some of the best players who I’ve taught to every level of starter. 

“I  have a basic idea in my head of what I’d like them to look like and how they can deal with the activities and manipulate them to do something and, if that doesn’t work, we’ll try something else. There is no secret answer; get them to hit the ball and have some fun. They make me laugh and we have a good laugh together.”