The north’s centre of excellence for golf improvement, Trafford Golf Centre has partnered with England & Wales Blind Golf to host an open day to support golfers experiencing sight loss.
PGA professionals at Trafford Golf Centre’s Academy are inviting golfers who are experiencing sight loss to meet existing members of England & Wales Blind Golf, a charity open to men and women of all ages who want to play golf.
The main purpose of the organisation is to provide visually impaired individuals the opportunity to train and compete in the game of golf whether as a beginner or a seasoned golfer. The charity is also hoping to recruit volunteer guides that can help facilitate the player in their golfing pursuits.
More than two million people are living with sight loss in the UK and every day 250 people in the UK start to lose their sight, equivalent to one person every six minutes. The Open Day will be free of charge to those who would like to take part and is planned for Friday 6th January starting at 10.00am.
Director of Golf, Pete Styles said: “As an inclusive venue, we’re looking forward to meeting new golfers and existing members of England & Wales Blind Golf to experience the driving range and adventure golf course. The work that charity secretary, Andy Gilford, and the team do is fantastic – and a real lifeline for many golfers experiencing sight loss, whether that be later in life or from a young age. If you have a family member or friend who you think could benefit from this partnership, please spread the word and encourage them to get involved with the Open Day in January.”
Golfers and potential volunteer guides who wish to attend can expect:
- 10.00am: Meet the Trafford Golf Centre Professionals and the England & Wales Blind Golf team over a coffee.
- 10.30am – 11.30am: Head out onto the driving range, which will include Toptracer ball tracking, clubs and balls. Coaches will be on hand to offer guidance and advice.
- 11.30am – 12.30pm: Play nine holes on Dino Falls Adventure Golf and experience a sensory walk – weather depending!
- 12.30pm – 1.30pm: Snack lunch provided and a chance to chat.
Andy Gilford, EWBG secretary said, “This new partnership helps us spread the word about blind golf even more powerfully. It gives all visually impaired people whether young or old a chance to take up or get back to a game they thought their handicap might prevent whilst getting outdoor exercise and a chance of making new friends in the process.”
Styles concludes: “Moving forwards we will be looking to offer three hours of free coaching for up to 10 golfers with one of our coaches at Trafford Golf Centre to help support the fantastic work of the EWBG.”
Featuring a licensed Café & Bar, six target greens spread over 300 yards and the largest American Golf retail store in the north, Trafford Golf Centre is like Disney World for any golfer – as quoted by Vice Chairman of Battle Back Golf and past Invictus Games Captain, Bernie Broad. The venue is also proud to be part of the Chatty Café Scheme, set up to get people chatting and combat loneliness in communities, and now has a designated Chatter & Natter table available Monday to Sunday, 7:00am to 10:30pm.
Trafford Golf Centre is also home to Manchester’s most popular 36-hole adventure golf course, Dino Falls Adventure Golf.
