Disabled youngsters in Wyre Forest will be among the chief beneficiaries after Wharton Park Golf and Country Club teed up a successful bid for a £10,000 grant from the Sports Lottery.
The club’s head PGA professional Angus Hoare will use the money to continue the good work he has pioneered over the past decade across several golfing initiatives with local schools and the wider community as a whole.
Hoare has helped develop one of the highest junior sections in Worcestershire numbering 81 and the Bewdley club has attained the GolfMark status in recognition of its junior friendly standing.
The 43-year-old, who is a PGA Advanced Professional, is already a familiar face in the community coaching local primary school children and disabled youngsters at Blakebrook and Stourminster special schools.
The two schools have now combined as the Wyre Forest School and as a result of the funding will benefit from an additional 44 hours of coaching – something that Hoare is relishing.
“The children have a range of disabilities and when I first coached I felt a bit out of my depth but the teachers said the kids loved it and got a lot out of it and I think it is important for me as a golf pro to give these children a chance to enjoy this game,” he added.
“During August I also did some work with disabled groups at day care centres. It was challenging and different but rewarding too. I taught one man in a wheelchair and he loved it. He managed to hit several balls and also his care manager on the arm with a follow through!”
Wharton Park, which has plans for a covered practice facility and driving range, is also purchasing a special buggy to transport youngsters around the site.
In addition the club will continue to run taster sessions for adults to encourage more people into the game.
“We saw the Lottery bid was available and knew there was a lot of work involved in the process to get it but thought why not as we had good credentials going back 10 to 15 years,” added Hoare. “With good funding you can achieve good results and this will help us continue the club’s good work.”
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