Eight sports mad students from The Royal National College for the Blind (RNC) enjoyed a trip to The ISPS HANDA Wales Open yesterday, receiving golf tuition from Golf Development Wales and as part of the ISPS HANDA PGA Academy Programme.
The students, who all attend the RNC and suffer from varying levels of visual impairment took to the ISPS HANDA PGA Academy nets to be given swing advice from PGA Academy Coach, Craig Thomas. Along with having a bash in the nets, the eight youngsters all had the chance to record a top score in Golf Development Wales’s ‘Street Golf’ zone in the tented village, before following some of the action out on the Twenty Ten course at Celtic Manor in Wales.
“At the RNC we pride ourselves on promoting access to and awareness of the benefits of disability sport,” said Aaron Ford, a Sports Academy Teacher at the RNC and a guide for the day said. “Today is an example of how golf can give those with visual impairments a sense of huge satisfaction. Some of our students here today have only recently started to lose their sight and all they want to do is keep playing sport. Golf is a great sport for which they can do that and were hoping to raise enough funds to install a golf net in our college soon.”
The RNC is the UK's leading specialist residential college for people aged 16-65, who are visually impaired. With over 140 years’ experience, the college - which is due to launch its state of the art sports academy in November this year, aims to enable every student to achieve their potential and engage fully in their community.
RNC students, Lloyd Davis and Brandan Coleman both suffer from Leber’s Syndrome, giving them an acute onset of visual loss over time. For Lloyd, the trip to the ISPS HANDA Wales Open gave the cheerful Welshman his first opportunity to hit a golf ball since losing his sight back in April.
“I used to play social golf with my mates but when I wasn’t able to see the ball anymore I just gave up,” said Lloyd. “It’s great to receive a few tips from Craig and Zoe from Golf Development Wales here today and to hit the ball again was really rewarding, so I’m tempted to start playing again!”
Brandan, whose father is a scratch golfer has always favoured football and goalball, however after a few shots in the net at Celtic Manor, the B1 student may have a new favourite sport. “Without being able to see the ball I didn’t think I’d be able to hit it,” said Brandan. “Now that I know that I can, I’m thinking of taking it up seriously. Hopefully I’ll be able to play in some tournaments soon.”
For Craig Thomas, the day was a great example of how the ISPS HANDA PGA Academy Programme is continuing to give more individuals with disabilities the opportunity to get involved in the sport.
“Today just shows how those with visual impairments can really enjoy, and excel, within the game. I’ve worked with individuals with disabilities for a number of years now and they continue to amaze me with what they can do. Hopefully after receiving these inclusive lessons today, the RNC students will continue to pick up their clubs and practice their game, as golf really is a sport that can be enjoyed by all.”
Launched in 2012 by ISPS Chairman and leading Japanese philanthropist Dr Huruhisa Handa with the cooperation of the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) the ground-breaking ISPS HANDA PGA Academy Programme aims to help more blind and disabled golfers receive specialised coaching. To date more than 300 PGA pros have undertaken workshops to equip them with specialist skills to coach disabled golfers and have given more than 3,000 lessons to individuals with disabilities.
For one of the older students who attended on the day, golf is already playing a big part in his life having had the opportunity to play through the RNC. Having achieved his NVQ Level 2 in Business Administration at the college, Matt Speller, aged 28, is now realising his ambitions within the VI golfing having taken up a temporary job position in the pro-shop at Burghill Golf Club in Herefordshire.
“I’ve been passionate about golf for as long as I can remember, so I love my new job” said Matt who was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa when he was 18. “It’s great that our college is able to bring us here to the ISPS HANDA Wales Open and even better to hit some balls and receive a few tips. The College gives you the confidence and support to help you get back on your feet and into the working environment. I’d recommend on promoting access to and awareness of the benefits of disability sport to anyone.”
