FEATURE
For more information:
American Society of Golf Course Architects:
www.asgca.org
Blind Golf Canada:
www.blindgolf.ca
Canadian Amputee Golf Association:
www.caga.ca/wp/
Canadian Deaf Sports Association:
www.assc-cdsa.com
Jan Bel Jan Golf Course Design:
www.janbeljan.com
Modified Rules of Golf R&A:
www.randa.org/Rog/2019/Rules/Players-with-Disabilities
Modified Rules of Golf USGA:
www.usga.org/rules/modified-rules-players-disabilities.html
Ontario Visually Impaired Golfers:
www.ontarioblindgolf.ca
Paramobile:
www.standupandplayfoundation.org/paramobile/
Para Golf Ontario:
www.paragolfontario.ca
Solo Rider:
www.solorider.com
Soldier On:
www.soldieron.ca
Golf for people with missing limbs or limited mobility
Kristian Hammerback is the president of the Canadian Amputee
Golf Association and is a member of Golf Canada’s Amateur
Competitions Committee. As a golfer who was born missing a limb,
golf provided him with a childhood activity he could participate in
with his friends. He believes that it is important to provide golfing
opportunities for people who are missing limbs or with reduced
mobility and that it can be instrumental in getting back into life
after an injury or illness.
Golfers with missing limbs or limited mobility may have challenges
getting around the course and getting to the ball. They don’t
like to play long rounds or slow play down for other golfers. Using
carts or “solo rider” units, providing red flags and being lenient
with cart rules will help to speed their play.
Hammerback, who has helped organize several tournaments
for amputee golfers, has found that golf courses are always very
helpful and “bend over backwards” to give the competitors a great
experience. He encourages golf courses to promote golf participation
for all, get involved with organizations for people with disabilities
to offer golf clinics and partner with local rehabilitation facilities
to provide golf opportunities as part of the recovery process.
Golf for people who are deaf or hard of hearing
Alain Turpin, the executive director of the Canadian Deaf Sports
Association, says that the biggest challenge is communicating with
deaf and hard of hearing golfers.
“Sometimes, it is difficult for pro-shop employees to communicate
with deaf golfers who speak poorly or can’t speak and use
language signs,” he said.
He recommends speaking face-to-face with deaf or hard of
hearing golfers and writing simple messages on a sheet of paper
to communicate.
When golfers who are deaf or hard of hearing take part in a
sanctioned competition, it is important for the host committee
to reserve a sign language interpreter. It makes a big difference
for the deaf golfer to feel included and equal. As well, creating
awareness for fellow competitors, competition officials and
facility staff of the importance of face-to-face and written communication
is essential.
Golf for military veterans who are ill or injured
Joe Kiraly, the outreach and communications manager for Soldier
On, a program of the Canadian Armed Forces Transition Group,
attests to the impact that golf brings to the recoveries of veterans.
“Golf has been a surprising addition to my life following an
injury resulting in physical limitations and loss of personal identity,”
said Kiraly. “I saw how golf helped others and decided to try
it myself.”
The Soldier On golf program, one of its most robust initiatives,
is championed by Michael Feyko, who works at Royal Oaks
Golf Club in New Brunswick. Feyko is a PGA of Canada teaching
professional and a former soldier who used golf as an integral part
of his own recovery from injury. The program began as a grassroots
initiative to support Armed Forces personnel suffering loss of ability,
loss of identity or loss of career and was found to help improve
mental and physical health.
Kiraly reports golf clubs being very welcoming to ill and
injured men and women. Many veterans who have experienced
sensory or mobility loss, or who have been suffering emotionally,
have found golf to be an important component of their healing.
With the support of the golf community, the Soldier On golf program
is continuing to grow across the country, with three weeklong
camps planned in 2020.
Golf is for everyone
While you may not have the opportunity to host the Invictus
Games, you can make your club welcoming and accessible to all
golfers and potential golfers. We all know people with a disability.
Providing them the chance to learn the game or continue an activity
they enjoy following the loss of ability is tremendously beneficial
to them, their families and your club!
Leslie Dunning is the past president of Golf Canada. She believes that
golf is for everyone and that inclusion is key to growing the game. She
is a member of Earl Grey and Bigwin Island Golf Clubs.
CMQ § Spring 2020 § 25
/www.asgca.org
/www.blindgolf.ca
/
/www.assc-cdsa.com
/www.janbeljan.com
/Players-with-Disabilities
/modified-rules-players-disabilities.html
/www.ontarioblindgolf.ca
/
/www.paragolfontario.ca
/www.solorider.com
/www.soldieron.ca
