Engleman withstands virus and delivers

11/05/2020

PGA Advanced Professional Adrienne Engleman has put the shock, worry and fear of contracting the coronavirus behind her to don PPE and deliver prescriptions for a local pharmacy.

The 49-year-old former Ladies European Tour player who is based at Colmworth Golf Club, Bedfordshire, first experienced symptoms of the virus when the lockdown began in March.

Initially she attributed ‘feeling under the weather’ to not sleeping well but the combination of headache, fever, dry cough, sore throat and fatigue prompted her and her family members to self-isolate for 14 days.

Reflecting on the fortnight, she said: “I have to admit it was pretty scary at times. I felt particularly poorly at one point, experiencing shortness of breath, which I'd never experienced before, and various other 'nasty' symptoms.

“Thankfully my family members were OK, experiencing relatively mild symptoms in comparison to mine.

“Looking back, I’m 90 per cent sure I had the virus but it was a mild case so I was lucky. Nevertheless, it takes a while to get over it and my lungs still feel a bit battered.”

Once the symptoms had gone and feeling much better, Engleman investigated joining the ‘volunteer army’ to help the most vulnerable avoid contracting the virus.

Two days later, having answered an advertisement for drivers to deliver prescriptions for a pharmacy in Kettering, Northamptonshire, she was putting on PPE and getting behind the wheel.

Doing so, she admits, is a daunting experience of a different kind.

“It is pretty scary at times, especially when considering I'm out there delivering to those most vulnerable from COVID-19 and who are therefore 'shielding' from the coronavirus,” she said.

“But I'm being extremely careful and the PPE I've been supplied with seems to put those whom I'm out delivering to at ease. Although, I find that rather strange as I think I look quite scary!”

Looking ahead, Engleman is looking forward to returning to her ‘proper’ job at Colmworth.

“Given the latest announcement from the government, I think I may only be needed to drive the van one day a week,” she added.

“I’ve been in regular contact with my clients throughout the lockdown and the owners of my club are very progressive, so hopefully I can start coaching again as soon as possible.”