Disabled stars draw a crowd

The practice ground at Close House hushed in reverence to witness the golfing prowess of the ISPS Handa Academy players.

Tony Lloyd, a short arm golfer and a regular participant in the programme for blind and disabled golfers, was effortlessly launching howitzers down the range as the professionals warmed up ahead of the eve-of-tournament pro-am at the ISPS Handa PGA Seniors Championship.

He was not alone with a number academy members already out on the course, while Kevin Harmison, Richard Saunders (above), Mark Smith and Simon Wilcox were going through their paces ahead of taking on the Lee Westwood Colt Course.

Their presence was not unnoticed as pros up and down the range took notice of their ability to strike perfect shots, despite a range of disabilities.

Professionals Andrew Murray (above left) and Peter Scott (above right) took a keen interest in the Tony and the rest of the guys. Both Murray and Scott tried their luck with Tony’s long clubs – but with very limited success.

Murray was indeed impressed and humbled by the skills and drive of the ISPS Handa Academy players.

“It’s the most humbling thing ever to see guys like Tony and a few of the other guys,” he said.

“I’ve been involved in charity golf virtually all my professional life and we have a charity pro-am in my neck of the woods which has been going for 20-odd years supporting various charities, including blind and disabled.

“Looking at Tony and how he has adapted to the game shows that golf is for all. His speed and flexibility plus his positive outlook are incredible. You can see the joy he gets from playing the game and that’s the thing for me.

“I tried the clubs and it’s impossible for someone like me to adapt like that. I am sure I could adapt if I needed to. If you love the game enough you would adapt and it is impressive what he does.

“If you want to play the game nothing is going to stop you. These guys are testimony to the discipline, courage, desire and are an absolute inspiration to us all.”

While Tony and Mark are regulars, one of the recent additions to the programme co-ordinated by PGA Advanced Professional Craig Thomas (above with Mark Smith) is 53-year-old thalidomide Simon Wilcox, who received coaching from Close House PGA Professional Tim Cockill.

“I got into my golf through my friends as we all played rugby together,” said Wilcox, who plays of 16.

“One day we’d been on a night out and they were all going so I bought some clubs and found a way to grip and took it from there.

“I surprised myself and really surprised my friends when I let go of the club as it was so wet. We were a good group of friends and I got encouragement from them.

“That was a good 25 years go. I play more now I have stopped playing rugby. I always play sport on the weekend and it’s just a way of life. You meet so many nice people and get invited to lovely events like this.

“I’ve got better and better it’s just getting that step to go a bit lower. You get a level and then you are always looking for that new thing to give you that bit of extra edge.

“Every event I’ve been I’ve looked to get the most out of the clinics. Tim today was really good and has given me some really useful tips and it’s his first time coaching.”

Reflecting on the clinic and bringing it into the core of the players competing this week was Thomas, who has been involved in the programme since its inception.

He said: “Being at a new venue and at a PGA Academy there was a great opportunity to introduce a new form of coaching to a venue in the north east. It was a chance to showcase the partnership between the PGA, ISPS Handa and it venues.

“There is a disability golf in the area but I believe it is quite limited so it was great to bring disabled golf to Close House and the new PGA Academy. With the ISPS Handa event here it just brings it all together.

“We try and encourage the Tour players to come and have some interaction with our guys and to get an idea of the work we are doing.

“These are players at the top of their game and are focussed on their game. But it was great today to get Andrew Murray and Peter Scott come over and genuinely show an interest in the challenges these guys face. They recognised how good these players are. When they teed up with the club they could not compare and it emphasised the talent these disabled golfers have got.

“The range went quiet and everybody just stopped in admiration and what these guys were doing and the work we’re doing.”