Passionate golfer Martin Broomfield is deaf and admits he went through hard times, including suffering depression, but he has found golf to be a turning point in improving his quality of life after turning his love of the sport into a career working as a greenkeeper at Stourbridge Golf Club in the West Midlands.
The Stourbridge local initially found his love for golf as an eight-year-old when he lived next door to a local club and wanted to give the sport a try. It was a day that ultimately would shape a large part of his life.
However, after an initial love for the game, Broomfield stopped playing for almost 20 years before rediscovering his passion for the sport in his adult life.
The social, physical and mental health benefits of the sport have had a great impact on Broomfield, who admitted there was a part of his life where he suffered depression. It highlights the importance the role of sport can play in being pivotal to the lives of people of all backgrounds, abilities and ages.
Discussing his return to the sport in his adult years, he said: “Golf made me feel really good about myself – going out in the fresh air and enjoying what’s around me. A few years back, I was going through a depression. Looking back, I am much better now than I was back then. Overall, golf has made my life better.”
According to the Royal National Institute for the Deaf, one-in-three adults in the UK are deaf, have hearing loss or suffer from tinnitus. England Golf, the national governing body for amateur golf in England, prides itself on making the sport enjoyable, accessible and inclusive for everyone in terms of both playing opportunities but also careers in the sport. This is something Broomfield has since reaped the benefits of after taking on his role of greenkeeper at Stourbridge Golf Club.
Broomfield urges everyone of any background to go down to their local golf club to give the game a try, praising the support he has received during his journey through the sport.
He said: “I would encourage anyone to go to a driving range or a golf club with a practice area. If you have a disability, then the golf club will help you maintain it and support you.”
Teri Devine, Director for Inclusion at RNID, said: “Deaf people can do anything, and it’s great to see England Golf celebrate this through their ‘We’re All Golfers’ series and sharing Martin’s story.
“People who are deaf or have hearing loss are twice as likely to experience mental health problems, so it’s more vital than ever that spaces and services such as sport, which can have such a positive effect on all of our wellbeing, are inclusive for everyone.”
Broomfield’s story is a part of England Golf’s We’re All Golfers series, a three-part video series which shines a spotlight to champion individual stories of how players from across the country adapt the sport to suit their needs so they can enjoy the benefits golf brings.
His story encompasses England Golf’s overarching Respect in Golf movement, to inspire, promote and create greater understanding and embracement of equality, diversity and inclusion within the sport. The movement is designed to bring people into golf from all ages, genders, abilities and backgrounds.
For more information on Respect in Golf, visit www.englandgolf.org/respect-in-golf.