40 golfers, carers, caddies and healthcare professionals took place in the 1st Inclusive Carnival to be held in Victoria at Melbourne’s Sandhurst Club yesterday as a part of Golf Australia’s Playgolf Week.
Hosted by Sandhurst Club Professional Christian Hamilton, the day had good representation across a wide range of different disability groups with a wide range of mobility devices and equipment on hand for golfers to trial including 2 OttoBock Paragolfers.
The Paragolfer is a mobility device that allows para and quadriplegic people to participate in golf. For many of the participants it was the first time many had stood upright for many years.
James Gribble from Empower Golf, was on hand for the day assisting new golfers and promoting the sport to interested onlookers and health care professionals who made the trip down to Sandhurst, some coming as far as Mildura to participate.
Representatives from Blind Golf Victoria were participating and on hand to provide information and guidance to families coming to terms with vision loss. This was an important step forward for couple Peter and Marylyn who are having to deal with Peter’s rapid loss of vision.
Peter and Marylyn, both very active in the sport found the clinic to be uplifting for both of them, “To know that there is support and playing opportunities for Peter is an important step forward in dealing with his vision loss” Marlyn said.
For more information on disability golf and support groups and associations, visit golf.org.au