How you can use golf to transform the lives of those with dementia

"Fore" Get Me Not Golf provides vital support for those living with, and affected by, dementia. PGA Members can find out more by signing up to a free PGA Learn workshop

The pain of watching loved ones dealing with dementia must be hard to bear. Tony Pennock has seen both his parents suffer with the disease, but as much as that has hurt, it has also inspired him to break down barriers and challenge stigma.

Pennock, a PGA Professional and General Manager at Seckford Golf Club, in Suffolk, co-founded "Fore" Get Me Not Golf – an initiative providing monthly sessions for those living with dementia.

It was born out of a visit to Ipswich Town, the football club he supports, who were holding a dementia café at Portman Road where people and their carers could meet and talk.

There, Pennock met Wendy Chard, from the private care company Home Instead. She has worked in the dementia field for more than two decades, leading groups as well as delivering cafes and information sessions within GP surgeries.

Her father had Parkinson’s Disease and vascular dementia, while her mother – now 96 – has also developed vascular dementia.

When the two looked for avenues on how to strengthen support for patients, "Fore" Get Me Not Golf was the result.

They set up a cafe at the club, getting players out on the range, and it quickly proved so popular the scheme was expanded and Dereham Golf Club also started providing sessions.

Pennock and Chard are now sharing their knowledge in a free, online CPD Workshop that aims to shape how dementia-awareness training is delivered to PGA Members.

Held from 10am until noon on Tuesday, October 21, the session will share valuable insights into dementia and how to support those living with it.

Members will also be able to shape how future workshops can meet the needs of PGA Professionals and the communities they serve by providing crucial feedback.

Open to all PGA Members, it is a chance to lead the way in building golf spaces that truly welcome and support everyone.

Speaking to GBQ Digital about "Fore" Get Me Not Golf, Pennock said: “We set up a little café at the golf club and got people out on the range. We have people who might not have played golf for 10 years but always used to, and you give them a golf club and they can hit a ball like they’ve never forgotten.

“You can see it lights them up and it gives you a huge sense of satisfaction. The carers can stay and hit balls as well or have a bit of respite, and it’s just a wonderful thing.

“I’ve been a golf pro for 48 years now, and I think it’s the best thing I’ve ever done, the most satisfying.”

He added: “If you’ve ever been touched by dementia or anyone in the family has ever had it, it’s just an incredibly horrible thing.

“I’ve always been someone who likes to try and help and to do things, and I felt like I had to do something.”

Key learning points from the workshop will include gaining the skills and confidence to make golf environments welcoming and supportive for everyone, as well as harnessing golf’s benefits by recognising the social, physical, and cognitive advantages of the sport for people with dementia.

Members can sign up to the PGA Learn workshop, which will be held over Microsoft Teams, by clicking here.

The meeting link will be sent to Members a week before the event.