ISPS Handa PGA Academy Programme delivers first golf lessons to the blind and impaired at Celtic Manor
Home of the previous Ryder Cup, Celtic Manor Resort in Wales witnessed the first of its kind golf lessons being delivered to the blind and disabled as part of the ISPS Handa PGA Academy Programme for the physically disabled and impaired.
PGA professional Craig Thomas delivered lessons to four physically disabled golfers including Celtic Manor club captain and amputee Richie Willis, Ron Tomlinson, Carmarthen Golf Club’s Chris Evans and Derrick Sheridan from Wargrave near Henley on Thames.
The initiative which is financially supported by the world renowned Japanese Dr. Haruhisa Handa who has been working relentlessly to promote disabled golf for the past 25 years.
Dr. Handa said, “As we are well aware, blind and disabled golfers face a number of challenges in developing their game and to be able to provide them with greater access to specialised coaching is something we are very proud of”.
Dr. Handa lauded the altruistic support of Thomas for providing free of cost lessons to the four golfers.
Meanwhile, the four disabled golfers were ecstatic over the support and the priceless guidance they received from Thomas.
Willis, who is an amputee and lost his leg in a road accident commended the initiative and said:
"It's wonderful to see an initiative like this bringing more disabled people into golf”.
Thomas from The Golf Academy in Wolverhampton hoped that more professional golfers will pitch their efforts in delivering golf lessons to the disabled and eventually manage to get a place in the Paralympics in the longer run.
He said, “It is an opportunity on two levels – to raise awareness among disabled golfers and also PGA professionals that there are demands for more coaches to deliver their skills”.
England is also the venue for the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics games. Golf will be officially inducted in the Olympics in 2016 but there is still a long way to go to induct golf in Paralympics games.
The venue of the upcoming ISPS Handa Wales Open from May 31-June 3, the Celtic Manor Resort shot to fame at 2010 Ryder Cup where the European Team posted a historic win over the Americans.
Ryder Cup will return to Chicago this year in October.
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