PGA pros on parade

A number of unsung PGA pros have been playing a small but important part in rehabilitating some of Britain’s injured servicemen through the PGA Golf Buddy Programme.

Around 50s pros are involved in the nationwide grass roots initiative which gives injured soldiers the opportunity to play golf and have free coaching in the heart of their community as they go about rebuilding their lives following life-changing  illnesses or  injuries  the majority sustained in action.

The use of golf as a supplement to military rehabilitation was initiated at Surrey's Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre, Headley Court.  With the support of the PGA this initiative has thrived, supporting Wiltshire's personnel recovery centre, Tedworth House and more expansively through a golf buddy community support programme.

Several rehabilitation centres use golf as part of the recovery process including Surrey’s Headley Court and Wiltshire's Tedworth House and the Golf Buddy programme is a community support-based facility.

Among the pros on the programme is Terry Gosden (above kneeling), the long-serving head PGA Professional at Tidworth Garrison Golf Club in Wiltshire, who works closely with nearby Tedworth House.

“I’ve been a club pro for 32 years, golf has been good to me, given me a great livelihood so I’m just happy to give back something back,” said Gosden.

“Many of the soldiers have suffered terrible injuries but perhaps even more profound is the psychological damage.

“This was brought home to me this year with one soldier who had some serious leg injuries from a roadside explosion and he explained that golf was the one thing that stopped him thinking about what happened to him in Afghanistan.

“As I got to know him through the lessons he explained how psychologically he was still struggling. He revealed how he had gone to a wedding and somebody had popped a balloon and he’d dived for cover under some chairs because he thought it was an explosion.

“The psychological impact takes much longer so if golf can help then the guys know I’m here and I’m happy to give them coaching or let them play golf.”

Sarah Bennett is another PGA pro to have thrown herself into the project and her efforts including creating a special tournament for soldiers to play in.

The head teaching pro at Three Rivers Golf & Country Club in Essex, thinks golf is ideal in helping the rehabilitation of servicemen who have gone through such traumatic experiences.

“It’s about self confidence, self esteem, the setting of targets relative to their rehabilitation,” she said.

“And when we the run the competitions the competitive nature is soon brought out.”

Dan Humble from Birchwood Park Golf Club in Kent echoed Bennett’s sentiments.

“I taught a couple of soldiers and you can see how playing golf was helping them back into society. Many of them find it difficult to talk about what’s happened and golf is a route back. 

“One of the guys I taught had lost a leg while another had damage to his side but they were working towards playing in a Ryder Cup style event and they were really looking forward to it.

“These guys are very competitive by nature and golf helps them to channel that energy.

“When I was asked to help in the PGA Golf Buddy programme I was asked not to publicise it which I didn’t mind at all. As pros we’ve all taught people such as those with learning disabilities and it’s when you see their eyes light up because they realise they can play golf, that’s reward in itself. It’s amazing to see how lives can change just by being able to play a bit of golf.”

** PGA pros at Headley Court in 2012 receiving special awards recognising their work.

Pontypool Golf Club’s new head pro Ian Harrison is another to have given his time having been contacted by PGA Advanced Fellow Professional Jon Woodroffe from World of Golf in Surrey who pairs up the pros with the soldiers.

“The soldier I’ve coached suffers from post traumatic stress disorder and I just try to make it a bit of fun and golf gives him something to concentrate on and take his mind off things,” he said.

“Giving up an hour of my time every couple of weeks is nothing and it’s rewarding to see him come along and thrash a few balls and get enjoyment out of golf.”

PGA chief executive Sandy Jones commented: “The PGA Golf Buddy programme is something that our members do quietly behind the scenes helping injured servicemen and women in the rehabilitation process.

“Not many are aware of what they do so we wanted to raise the profile a bit and reach out to any injured soldiers to say that we have this team of volunteer pros who are happy to give their time and expertise.

“As we’ve seen with these examples, golf can have tremendous benefits even for soldiers who have suffered really traumatic and life changing injuries.”

** Any PGA pros interested in finding out more about the PGA Golf Buddy Programme can contact Jon Woodroffe by email at Jon Woodroffe woodroffe17@btinternet.com