Durham City Golf Club has welcomed three young men with autism into golf as part of its pledge to be an inclusive club. The club is working with the North East Autism Society, based at Chester-Le-Street, County Durham, and three new players – Steve, Lewis and Mark – have been taking golf lessons over the last few weeks.
The successful venture has been part-funded by England Golf after Durham City signed up to its Inclusive Club Pledge. As a result, the club will receive support to improve the experience of disabled people, bring inclusive thinking into the planning of further activities and build further links within their community.
Steve (pictured), Lewis and Mark have all been encouraged by Head Professional Tom Cranfield to develop their skills on the practice area, putting green and out on the course.
Each of the sessions have been enthusiastic, fun filled and enjoyable, both for the young adults and their coach. Tom, who is coaching disabled adults for the first time, said: “These sessions have been not only enjoyable but very rewarding personally and as a coach I have also learned such a lot.”
There’s a clear rapport between coach and students with lots of “high fives” exchanged during the sessions and some wonderful moments, such as Steve’s huge hug for Tom to show how much he enjoyed playing on the course.
Clubs which would like to sign up to the pledge, and show their commitment to including disabled people and making golf a game for all, should contact inclusiveclub@englandgolf.org
England Golf www.englandgolf.org
Durham City Golf Club http://www.durhamcitygolfclub.co.uk/