Dream day for disabled trio

Three talented young disabled golfers - all harbouring dreams of reaching the highest level – will showcase their talents with the stars of the Ladies European Tour.

The trio of Warren Clark, 14, Bobby David, 17, and Tom Beard, 21, all with differing disabilities, will compete with a number of other blind and disabled golfers in the ISPS Handa Ladies European Masters Pro-Am at the Buckinghamshire this week.

All three of them are among the latest beneficiaries of the ISPS Handa PGA  Academy programme, which provides coaching and is a driving force for golf’s inclusion in the Paralympics.

Prior to the pro-am they took part in a special clinic, which was run by PGA Professionals Craig Thomas and Sarah Bennett and had LET star Holly Aitcheson lending her support.

Warren, Bobby and Tom were all first time attendees on the ISPS Handa Clinic and the trio share a common bond of wanting to have successful careers in the game.

Tom, who was born with two clubbed feet and has undergone 12 operations, is a single figure golfer and currently working at The Belfry. His aim is to get on the PGA Foundation Degree.

“I have done the Level One certificate with England Golf and have done some coaching at my club to get more experience,” said Tom, who is a member at Druids Heath Golf Club near Walsall.

Golf has been an outlet for Tom, as he was unable to play any contact sports, and the ISPS Academy Clinics are opening the game up to more people and also providing support to those playing the game.

Teenagers Warren and Bobby instantly struck up a friendship upon meeting at the clinic. Both are talented golfers and looking to make significant improvements to one day compete in the Paralympics – should golf finally be included.

Ascot-based Bobby, who plays off 22, has autism, development delay and hypermobility. Having initially being taken to a driving range by his dad, Bobby’s game has developed via the BB&O Golf Partnership and disabled coaching.

“I wouldn’t have expected him to have the ability to play golf but he just loves it and loves whacking it,” said mom Katrina.

“He’s learning all the other skills as well, while the sport has given him a lot of independence. He goes to the range with a couple of friends, while it encourages him to speak to other adults and he has certainly grown up more since starting golf.

“I hadn’t heard of disabled golf and it certainly helps his development with the various skills challenges.

“He has a talent for the game and recently got a hole in one on the seventh at Didcot.  His handicap has come down from the 40s to 22 and it would be lovely to see him go on achieve success in the game.”

Warren, who recently celebrated his 14^th birthday, has learning disabilities, dyspraxia, dyslexia and global delay, is totally committed to golf.

Under the tutelage of PGA Professional Chris Farr, who coaches at Paultons Golf Centre and Totton College in Hampshire, Warren has progressed significantly.

“He got into golf at Totton and now plays at Stoneham, Bramshaw and Paultons,” said mom Dawn Osborn.

“He’s also got a little voluntary job with Chris on Sunday mornings. He loves the game and went up to Wentworth to the BMW PGA Championship. He’s now going to be a volunteer at a tournament, which he can’t wait for.

“He also gets one to one coaching from Nick Smith at Stoneham, where he’s in with a good crowd and has played with the likes of Chris Tremlett and Matt Le Tissier.

“Warren works hard at his game and nothing fazes him. Hopefully meeting Craig on these clinics will offer Warren more opportunities because he wants to improve so much and would love to be a professional when he’s older.”

**The ISPS HANDA Ladies European Masters takes place at Buckinghamshire Golf Club, Denham, from July 3-6. More information here.