Derbyshire Golf has supported several projects delivered over the winter months, which have provided coaching opportunities across Derbyshire for people with disabilities.
The projects delivered by James Whatley & Aaron Holtom of EMGA (East Midlands Golf Academy) at Morley Hayes and Craig Pollard at Tapton Park were supported financially by funding from England Golf’s Innovation fund and the Derbyshire Golf disability programme.
Aaron Holtom delivered several sessions for the Royal School for the deaf on the Driving Range at Morley Hayes, which introduced over 12 people to golf.
Craig Pollard delivered sessions at Tapton Park Golf Club for adults with learning difficulties. In all 10 individuals attending a series of coaching which covered long game, short game and putting. All will complete the coaching with a few holes on the short course at Tapton.
James Whatley delivered sessions at Morley Hayes for students with learning disabilities form Derby College. These sessions have be a great success and have seen the students continue to visit Morley Hayes beyond the structured coaching sessions so they can develop their golfing skills further.
Samantha Pratt from Derby College commented, “This has given the students something to look forward to each week. James has given them all a basic knowledge of golf but most of all kept it fun at all times. It is an opportunity which the college, students and parents are most appreciated of”
James Whatley from EMGA explained “This has by far been the most rewarding coaching I’ve done in my 12 years as a professional. The student’s enthusiasm is fantastic and they are always smiling. A real refreshing change from my day-to-day coaching. We are already putting dates in the diary for further sessions in September.”
Nigel Furniss, Development Officer for the Derbyshire Golf Partnership, said: “Derbyshire Golf are committed to supporting projects that create opportunities for people with disabilities to experience golf. The coaches who have been involved in these projects have been extremely supportive of our drive to encourage the development of disability golf in Derbyshire. We will be supporting several more projects of this nature as we progress throughout 2014”
The Derbyshire Golf Partnership is a collaboration of a number of stakeholders in the sport including the English Golf Union, The English Women’s Golf Association, the PGA, the Golf Foundation and Sport England.
In Derbyshire the partnership is supported by the Derbyshire Ladies County Golf Association, the Derbyshire Union of Golf Clubs and the Derbyshire PGA.
For more details of the activities in Derbyshire visit www.derbyshiregolf.org
East Midlands Golf Academy www.emga.co.uk