Disabled Golf Association

Firsts was the order of today as 16 members made our first visit to the delightful Leeds Golf Centre in north Leeds where our current youngest member, Ben Marlow, 13 years old, won his first DGA event. Truly a remarkable event as he has only been playing the game for around 6 months. Well done Ben, a superb achievement on a challenging course.
The course has undergone some major changes in recent years and certainly posed a few challenges for all and was in great condition. J...ust a pity that the temperature had dropped a few degrees lower than our last event and we had to contend with a stiff breeze for the majority of the day. Shirt-sleeve order was definitely not on the agenda!
Ben won the event with 37pts with Ian Slowther posting a very respectable 33pts for second place and yours truly in third with 30pts.
Hopefully Team England players were saving their A-games for next weekends clashes against the Auld Enemy
The next OOM event is on Monday 24th September at John Smith’s home course, Bradley Park in Huddersfield
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BGL Race to Burhill - our final qualifying event for the grand finale to the season was at BGL Wycombe Heights today Friday 7th September. The course was glorious in windy conditions with spectacular autumnal views across the Chilterns and didn’t suffer from the overnight rain - there was still plenty of run which can suit our higher handicappers. With our top 2 having already qualified this made room for our 3 qualifiers being - Keith Dolman, Ian Leftie Moore, and Iain P Millar. Our top 3 today were - in 3rd place Iain P Millar with 29points; 2nd was Ashley Harris with 30points and the winner, yours truly winning her 2nd event - Susie Robertson with a mahoussive handicap cutting score of 33points! Thanks to the staff at BGL Wycombe Heights and to everyone who came and enjoyed the day!

Great article Paul Houghton, DGA Ambassador in Essex.

Taking a moment to celebrate a spectacular performance from Iain P Millar our winner at yesterday’s OOM event at Mannings Heath GC, which last week was home to the Euro Pro Tour featured on Sky Golf. Iain’s wife Megan-Beth has been by his side every step of the way so over to Megan-Beth who had this to say...
“I’m so proud - sorry for the tears today!!! This is a feel good post, in 2013 my amazing husband sustained a TBI and diffuse Axonal injury as well as a massive shoulder... injury and couldn’t lift his arm above 45 degrees. Golf was his goal to get some normality back and in 2015 we tentatively started going to the driving range fast forward 3 years as a member of the Disabled Golf Association he just won his first competition and his handicap has lowered to 16.5
Words cannot describe how proud I am of him. Golf is only possible through acceptance of a new way of playing, always using a buggy and focusing on how far he’s come not on what he can’t do.
We have always focused on the positive and this shows that anything is possible xxx — with Iain P Millar.”
Iain’s story epitomises everything the Disabled Golf Association is set up to achieve, so we are also incredibly proud to know Team Millar.
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Having played on some very good courses over the season it seemed highly unlikely that we could improve on them, particularly with the very dry and sunny weather that has scorched fairways and greens alike.
Don’t believe it for a minute! Yesterday, 10 lucky members were treated to a ‘green’ feast at the Hillsborough GC in Sheffield. Unanimously agreed that they were the best we had played on in the last 4 years; fast and true without a blemish on the surface.
The lovely wea...ther, superb condition of the rest of the course and the marvellous reception and catering by the staff all made for a fabulous day’s golf for us all.
Great respect for our newest member, David Thresh, who travelled by train and taxi, golf clubs and trolley in tow, all the way from Grimsby to take part in the event.
Having slick greens to play on is all well and good but does make putting accuracy paramount to record a decent score. Sadly, not too many of us rose to the challenge but our top three on the day fared well. In 3rd place was Neil Patrick, 2nd place, narrowly missing his hat trick of wins, was Norman Roberts with David Walls in top spot after a great back nine score, edging out Norman by one point.
We have a break now until our next event, our first visit to The Leeds Golf Centre on 10th September followed a few days later by the 3 day, Ryder Cup format, Auld Enemies Cup at Oulton Hall, 16-18 September.
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DGA OOM at West Herts, Hertfordshire 13/8/18
It was a late start so a few of the early birds took advantage of the famous West Herts Big Breakfast – full Monty + chips! In the end we had 18 players competing with a few pushing to qualify for the AEC.
This attractive tree lined course was in great condition given the run of dry weather. The finishing hole is particularly challenging, with a long carry from the tee to carry the slope and get onto the raised fairway. Even then... the slope on the fairway can cruelly throw the ball into the trees on the left.
The results were as follows – in 3rd place was Mark Evans on 32 points and in 2nd place was Danny Hennessey on 33 points. The winner was Hannie Harris on 35 points – well played!
Big thanks go to Sue R for helping with the organisation.
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DGA OOM at Ealing GC 20/8/18 We returned again to this excellent golf course in London. As in other years, we played a team event with some of the members alongside the DGA OOM Competition. Thanks go to Mike one of the members who, as in previous years, did a great job organising the event.
On the course it is hard to believe that you are in such a built-up area close to central London. The A40 runs very close to one of the fairways. Some of the members told us that balls d...o occasionally find their way onto this very busy road and even into the gardens on the other side! Thankfully all the players managed to avoid this feat on the day.
Firstly, the team results were as follows:
1st Charlie White & Pam – 42 points 2nd Clive Martin & Nigel – 42 points 3rd Paul Piercy & Chris – 41 points 4th Andy Jones & Peter – 41 points
The results for the DGA OOM were – in 3rd place Hannie Harris on 27 points (just edging out Clive Martin on countback) and in 2nd place was Charlie While on 29 points. The well-deserved winner was Danny Hennessey on 32 points.
Thanks again to Mike and all the Ealing GC members for making the day really enjoyable.
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A trip to north Lincolnshire was the order of the day today as 10 members joined up with new member, David Thresh, at his home club, Immingham.
We were rewarded with a very challenging course, although the greens were a little slow and bobbly in places . That didn’t dampen the enjoyment of the entourage though and we were treated to bit of jocularity when David ‘Captain Kirk’ Kirkham’s fourball somehow teed off from the 18th but managed to play the opposite way, finishing on... another green they swore they had not played before! Given the option of a blob or disqualification, they wisely opted for the latter 🤗 Even if those scores had counted they would not have troubled the scoreboard! Once the protestations and mickey taking were over, we all sat down to a sumptuous home made meat pie, served up by the lovely ladies from the course who were so welcoming to us all day. A credit to the golf club. The challenging nature of the course was reflected in the posted scores with only 2 scoring above 30pts. In 3rd place with 27pts was John EG Smith, 2nd, yours truly with 35pts and for the second event in a row, 1st place went to Norman ‘Slider’ Roberts with 37pts. Well done Norman. I’m sure he’ll be looking to make it a hat trick next Wednesday when we visit the excellent Hillsborough GC in Sheffield, albeit with a 3 lower handicap!
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Following a few restless and sleepless nights Team England selection is now complete. Whilst I am very proud to be team captain I have to say that deliberating over the captain’s picks for the team has been extremely difficult. Suggestions of who should or should not be included were many. No brown envelopes though! 🤗 After due deliberations, coupled with the fact that this may be the last Auld Enemies Cup in the foreseeable future, I have decided that, despite its flaws, the... OOM top 13 players will form Team England 2018. Whilst this has been a huge disappointment to some it has provided great opportunities for others and the selection represents a cross section of handicaps, geographic regions and disabilities.
Congratulations therefore go to:
Chris Alder (Northamptonshire) Alan Baker (London) Steve Crocker (Sussex) Paul ‘Stumpey’ Daley (Lancashire), Vice Captain Bobby David (Berkshire) Ashley Harris (Surrey) Paul Houghton (Essex) Steve Lawrence (Warwickshire) John Riordan (Yorkshire), Captain John EG Smith (Yorkshire) David Walls (Yorkshire) Brian White (Lincolnshire) Charlie White (Berkshire)
No team is complete without its back room staff and I am pleased to include Graeme Robertson as non-playing Vice Captain. His experiences as previous captain will prove invaluable and last, but certainly not least, Lesley Bain, our Ladies Ambassador, takes over the role of Event Co-Ordinator.
All of us are looking forward to locking horns once more with Team Scotland. With both teams having players playing in their 1st AEC alongside the many regulars it will be a renewal of longstanding friendships and the making of new ones.
Notwithstanding the rivalry, the AEC is a beacon of the ideals of disability participation in sport and we hope to further that aim in the future in whatever golfing guise between the two teams.
Team England will be determined to retain the AEC and in doing so be the first to win on home soil.
Let battle commence on 16th September at Oulton Hall. Tell your friends to come and support this prestigious and possibly last occasion of it being held.
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A splendid turnout today at the prestigious Nottinghamshire Golf Club for the last event before the cut off for automatic qualification to Team England to face our friends and rivals, Team Scotland in the Auld Enemies Cup next month.
Members travelled from north and south to either consolidate or move into the OOM top 10 which increased the competitive but always friendly nature of the pairings
The course is a pleasure to play and yet is challenging for all levels of golfers.... Lots of water, consequently lots of lost balls, strategically placed ditches, lots of lost balls too!
‘Stumpy’ Daley had the shot of the day in our group, a hole in one! Pity it was the hole in a drainage ditch pipe he was attempting to play from! Never touched the sides on its way to obscurity! He redeemed himself soon after with a ‘Seve’ type shot through a hole in some bushes to put his ball on the green from 120 yards away.
It was nice to see the eventual winner playing in the group and building on his 2 guest appearances at previous events, needless to say he took a fair amount of ribbing from ‘Stumpey’ and Dave ‘Kes’ Walls regarding handicap cuts and pleasing to see him take it in the good humour it was intended.
Well done to Norman ‘Slider’ Roberts, victorious on the day with 38pts.
Another good showing in 2nd place by Chris Alder (36pts) and returning to form again Steve Lawrence (34pts) who both now share 10th place in the OOM table, giving Team England captain further headaches.
Ah well, as they say, that’s Golf!
Watch this space for Team England selection
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DGA OOM at Surrey National GC, Surrey 9/8/18
🎵 I'm swingin’ in the rain Just swingin’ in the rain What a glorious feelin'... I'm happy again. I'm laughing at clouds. So dark up above The sun's in my heart And I'm ready for golf
…. I'm swingin' and puttin' in the rain … 🎵
That just about sums it up! After the heatwave we happen to choose the day the weather broke and the rain fell. 13 DGA Members and Sandy Ganatra of One Golf started on the first tee and 10 bedraggled survivors made it to the 18th green. Sandy very kindly sponsored the event and provided some great prizes for the top 3 and an added bonus nearest the pin prize.
This is a great course with a variety of holes to challenge any player. We will certainly be back, hopefully on a dryer day. Despite the weather, we enjoyed both the golf and the good company.
The results were as follows – in 3rd place and recapturing top spot in the OOM was Charlie White on 27 points (just pipping Danny H on countback) and in 2nd place was Ashley Harris on 30 points. The winner with 37 points was Peter Joyce. Well played Peter!
Nearest the pin was on the 13th hole. With the pin on the top level of this tiered green it was difficult to get the ball close. However, Paul Houghton did it and took away a very nice silver plate donated by Sandy. Following this event, Paul now moves into 10th place on the OOM. With only two events left to qualify for the Auld Enemies Cup it is very close!
Thanks to everybody who came, Sue Robertson for her help with organisation and scoring, the staff at Surrey National GC and again to Sandy and One Golf for their generosity.
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Cooler climbs and a short sharp shower for our return visit to Hart Common GC, Westhoughton today but livened up by the ever friendly welcome at the club.
19 members were expected to play but non shows left a manageable 13 teeing off after our customary bacon sandwich and cuppa.
The course always presents a good challenge to golfers of all handicaps although the greens were not up to their usual high standards due to the lack of rain over the last few weeks. Despite this, som...e very respectable scores were posted, with the CSS working out at 30pts.
Derek Radcliffe added to his collection of DGA balls coming third with 36pts. David Walls and Paul Daley ended up with the same 37pts but with a better back nine Paul returned to winning ways on countback.
Photos show members on the 1st tee and prize winners in the lounge after a hearty meal.
The northern area’s final fixture before the cut off date for the Auld Enemies Cup takes place at the prestigious Nottinghamshire GC next Tuesday, 14th August. Last chance saloon for the top 10!
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Another lovely sunny day greeted 14 members for our first ever visit to the Willow Valley Golf Club in West Yorkshire today. All would agree that the experience was a very enjoyable one.
The course was a great test for everyone with large and numerous bunkers, ‘bigger than my back garden’ according to Ken Riley, and challenging water surrounded greens.
Certainly a course to add to our ‘must play it again next year’ list.
... The opening 2 ball finished quite some time before the remainder and totted up scorecards. With 27 and 30 points neither thought they would be troubling the leaderboard. So much so that with a night shift to begin at midnight, the 30 pointer dined and left early for a few hours rest before the tour of duty.
As the troops returned from the battlefield with their scorecards it became apparent that the early birds would be in the frame for the honours of the day with only Ken Riley splitting the two earlier scores with 29 pts.
Ken therefore was 2nd, yours truly was 3rd with the 27pts and our winner, with the 30pts, on only her second DGA event was Jo Eastwood.
No photos of the winner possible as by that time she was probably tucked up in bed after her triumph.
Congratulations to Jo, Ken and the rest of the regiment for another enjoyable day’s golf and the continuance of raising awareness of our Association’s aims.
Watch this space for our next sojourn, across the border into Lancashire this time, on the 8th August for our return visit to the always popular Hart Common course near Wigan.
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For our very active membership in Yorkshire and sons who live further afield...

SW MINI TOUR DAY 2: Our second day was spent on the Channel Course at the prestigious Burnham & Berrow GC. A fine sunny day saw 13golfers tee off. All have made great friends over our two day tour, but departed now to their various homes and we are sat on Berrow Beach remembering stories of that par 3 etc as we do post event analysis after each event we run (... usually sat with ice creams at home). So to our winners - with 3 ocb with 34points, 4th was Ashley Harris, 3rd Harry Turnell, 2nd Geoff Turner, but our Winner was Nick Snaddon with 36points. Really well played one and all. Look forwards to seeing you all again soon.

SW MINI TOUR DAY 1: Day 1 was held today at Minehead GC established 1882 which was advised by Club Secretary Phil Arbonne, who was also our contact at the club arranging for us to play and be guided by 6 wonderful club members. We’ve really had a super day so thanks to all of the members. A stunning days links golf complemented by a real treat back in the club house “and all the trimmings” followed by choice of dessert and tea/coffee. It was great to have local members - Elizabeth Ward from Honiton, Rob Johnson from Trethorne, Plymouth and those who have travelled from afar too. So to our results with Phil presenting prizes to our top 3 - 3rd Keith Dolman 30points, 2nd Ashley Harris 37points and Rob Johnson with a whopping 41points!! Awesome job guys. Looking forward to seeing most and a few subs tomorrow at Burnham & Berrow.

Excited for the next two days golf, starting in Minehead Monday and playing the Channel course Tuesday!

GOLF TRIST OPEN 2018: Overall winner - Dave Walls Overall Runner up - Jake Conroy Cat1 - Jay Penfold Cat2 - Peter King... Cat3 - Andy ‘Legless’ Jones Ladies Winner - Susie Robertson Thanks so much to Cae and the Menai-Davies family for running this fantastic annual celebration of #disabledgolf and our sincere thanks to all the volunteers too!!
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Final tee sheet for today! Don’t forget your factor 30 and plenty of hydration! Have a great day all. 😎⛳️😎

has helped me be-leave if you want it enough you can do it i cant thank graham and sue enough for there help love you bothXX

These golfers are inspirational, really pleased to have met you all. And Graeme and Sue do a great job.

The Disabled Golf Association has given my husband his life back, after a massive brain haemorrhage and stroke 18 months ago. He is now full of determination to get back to his beloved golf and play to the best of his abilities. Sue and Graeme are doing such a fantastic job!

Sue & Graeme, you are such great ambassadors for this fantastic association. Well done you!

Outstanding in all aspects

It's never easy keeping all of the people happy all of the time but DGA strive to accommodate golfers of all abilities and members are the best BEST ever

It is great- and often i dont wan the day to end when playing golf with the DGA

I think it's a good idea just the right way to get people who are disabled involved.

BRILL

has helped me be-leave if you want it enough you can do it i cant thank graham and sue enough for there help love you bothXX

These golfers are inspirational, really pleased to have met you all. And Graeme and Sue do a great job.

The Disabled Golf Association has given my husband his life back, after a massive brain haemorrhage and stroke 18 months ago. He is now full of determination to get back to his beloved golf and play to the best of his abilities. Sue and Graeme are doing such a fantastic job!

Sue & Graeme, you are such great ambassadors for this fantastic association. Well done you!

Outstanding in all aspects

It's never easy keeping all of the people happy all of the time but DGA strive to accommodate golfers of all abilities and members are the best BEST ever

It is great- and often i dont wan the day to end when playing golf with the DGA

I think it's a good idea just the right way to get people who are disabled involved.

BRILL

has helped me be-leave if you want it enough you can do it i cant thank graham and sue enough for there help love you bothXX

These golfers are inspirational, really pleased to have met you all. And Graeme and Sue do a great job.

The Disabled Golf Association has given my husband his life back, after a massive brain haemorrhage and stroke 18 months ago. He is now full of determination to get back to his beloved golf and play to the best of his abilities. Sue and Graeme are doing such a fantastic job!

Sue & Graeme, you are such great ambassadors for this fantastic association. Well done you!

Outstanding in all aspects

It's never easy keeping all of the people happy all of the time but DGA strive to accommodate golfers of all abilities and members are the best BEST ever

It is great- and often i dont wan the day to end when playing golf with the DGA

I think it's a good idea just the right way to get people who are disabled involved.

BRILL