DISABILITY SPORT D R M
a small part of the sky. It was an emotion that made me cry. I am totally in love with the sport,” says Lucas. Respect for others is something that he recognises in golf, “It
FOR THE LOVE OF
GOLF
Why on earth do people get so enthused about using a stick to hit an object towards a target either in, on, or above the ground? Find out more from EDGA… WE spoke with some disabled golfers and asked them to share their stories. We learned about what golf means to them, how the game is inclusive through its unique handicap system, and what they enjoy most about playing the game as someone with a disability. Tom was just five years of age when he first experienced golf in England’s West disabili t yreviewmagazine.co.uk
Midlands. Tom has lots of metalwork in his feet due to the numerous operations he has endured to minimise the effect of bilateral talipes (clubfoot). “My father was the first person to get me into golf. He made these golf clubs for me that were super small and got me going. I wasn’t really playing that many holes, but it was more just to get me into the environment, get me part of a club when I couldn’t be part of a football or rugby club. Golf is probably the biggest influence on my life. I think if I didn’t have golf, I wouldn’t be who I am today. I’ve made relationships that I’ll always have.” Lucas Oliveira lives in the busy metropolis of São Paulo, Brazil. One night Lucas was shot down in an unprovoked attack by two men. With bullets lodged in his back, the attackers made off with the equivalent of €400, his watch and tennis shoes. Lucas was merely doing his job as a pizza delivery boy and was just 20 years of age when overnight his life changed forever as he became a paraplegic. Lucas knew nothing about golf before the attack. “When I made the first visit to a golf course, I came across nature and felt like
is more than getting a club to hit a ball. The benefits of golf are not limited to my physical health, but also my psychological and emotional well-being, the practice of golf helps increase my self-esteem and the quality of my life.” Two car accidents and a diagnosis of Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome were the catalysts for Australian Kirsty Wilkinson to give up hockey and try golf. “I actually picked it up with a hockey friend of mine. It was something that I was always curious about because both my brother and dad had played golf. Playing with a friend just makes it a lot more fun. Golf has really saved my life, because I had become very depressed and I became very anxious as well from my car accidents. It’s really hard when you’ve played sport all your life, and then all of a sudden the rug is pulled from underneath you.” With an impish sense of fun and a finely tuned competitive spirit, Adem Wahbi from Belgium is one of the sport’s finest young talents, playing in big international tournaments. Ask Adem what golf means to him and it is hard not to be impressed by the straightforward honesty which capitalises his words. “When I am on the course, I don’t feel disabled, I simply see in front of me and don’t look back.”
Au t h o r: To ny B e n n et t (H ea d o f Disability and Inclusion the I n te r n a t i o n a l G o l f Fed e r a t i o n) We b s i te: ed g a g o l f.co m Tw i t te r: @ ed g a g o l f I n s ta g ra m: @ ed g a _ g o l f
DR M | S U M M E R - 2 0 21
55
