Leongatha Golf Club to host star amputee players

SOME of Australia’s top amputee golfers will tackle the fairways and greens of Leongatha Golf Club in a Charity Golf Day contest, with club members and others invited to be part of the action on October 28.

The event has been organised through a collaboration between Amputee Golf Victoria (AGV), Leongatha Golf Club, and Inverloch Rotary Club and will showcase the high standard of amputee golf to those in the Leongatha region.

Each team of four in the Ambrose format event will include one amputee golf champion.

The new competition is intended to be held annually.

The majority of funds raised are going to AGV to run its programs, with the organisation still quite young and without substantial financial reserves.

“That helps to pay for events and opportunities for new people to get involved in the sport,” AGV president Mike Rolls said.

A free all abilities golf clinic and Come and Try day, held prior to the competition, provides a snapshot of the type of programs AGV provides.

Such sessions precede each of its regular social events.

“We pay for coaching and equipment and welcome everyone who’s an amputee or has a different disability type,” Mike said.

He outlined what drives those running AGV.

“Our main vision for Amputee Golf Victoria is to position golf as a sport of choice for anyone who goes through the journey of limb loss, because it’s a very inclusive sport,” Mike said.
Golf lends itself to people with a range of mobility challenges and caters for a broad age spectrum.

The sport proved a crucial part of Mike’s recovery after a bout of meningococcal disease in 2001 at the age of 18, having previously been an active person who enjoyed playing footy.
“I woke up to the news that I’d be an amputee and I’d have a disability for the rest of my life,” he said.

While initially he was too ill to think about a return to sport, his father eventually dragged him out to play golf.

“I realised I can still hit a ball pretty good so all my energy went into golf, and it’s become a real lifesaver for me, and I’m sure a lot of other guys who play our events will tell you golf has played a major role in their recovery,” Mike said.

AGV is keen to address an underrepresentation of women and kids in amputee golf, with hopes the Come and Try day and charity golf event in Leongatha will encourage new participants.

“We’ve got wonderful amputee golfers coming in from around the country,” Mike said, adding some feature highly in the amputee golf world ranking system.

He came into contact with Leongatha Golf Club through one of its members, and reflected on the club’s commitment to providing inclusive sport.

“They were always keen to support amputee golf and to get more people with a disability involved in the game,” Mike said.

Those at AGV see golf as much more than hitting a ball, or even competing, he explained.

“It’s a really amazing outlet for your mental health and the social connection you get is a wonderful thing,” Mike said.

 Leongatha Golf Club general manager Justin Speirani said some of the funds raised during the Charity Golf Day may be used to make the course more accessible to all-abilities golfers.
“That might be reshaping some of the bunkers so someone who’s not 100 percent mobile can get into them,” he said.

“There’ll always be an entry point, so it’s about adjusting the grade of the entry points so they can access the bunker easily.”
Improved paths to tees is another way of boosting accessibility.

AGV isn’t government funded, Justin said, highlighting the importance of fundraising for the organisation.

Justin is keen to see all-abilities golf programs in place, not only at Leongatha Golf Club but elsewhere in Gippsland.

On course action will be followed by a dinner, with attendees hearing from AGV president Mike and another speaker.

Amputee Golf Victoria Charity Golf Day details:

Where: 
Leongatha Golf Club, 855 Koonwarra-Inverloch Road Leongatha South

When:
Friday 28 October, with registration at 11am and tee off at 12.30pm.  

How to be a part of the action:

Those wishing to play in the event are advised to register their interest by emailing Leongatha Golf Club general manager Justin Speirani at manager@leongathagolf.com.au or contacting him through the club number of 5664 3314.

Cost:
The cost is $75 per player, which includes the event fee and dinner.

Come and Try all abilities golf clinic details:

Where:
Leongatha Golf Club

When: 
From 10am until 11.30am

What is included:

Assistance from a qualified all-abilities instructor, modified equipment and morning tea.

How to join the fun:

Please register your interest by emailing info@amputeegolfvictoria.com.au