Golf and golf club praised for helping people with Parkinson’s

Rudding Park Hotel, Spa and Golf in Yorkshire has been praised for helping people with Parkinson’s.

This comes just a few days after Malkins Bank Golf Course was commended for helping people who had suffered strokes, and in recent weeks Lincoln Golf Centre was acknowledged in the House of Commons for its work with dementia sufferers and Tapton Park Golf Course has proved of benefit to a carer of someone who suffers from Alzheimer’s.

Rudding Park Golf Academy has teamed up with ‘Golf in Society’ to offer families living with Parkinson’s the chance to relax, learn new skills and socialise.

Earlier this year 20 guests attended the first event and were partnered with Rudding Park’s members as ‘golf buddies’ to play the game they love with someone less fortunate than themselves.

Golf in Society is a social enterprise initiative aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of an ageing population by introducing them to the world of golf.

James King, Rudding Park’s golf manager, explained: “The Repton short course offering six par three holes offers a fantastic opportunity to continue to enjoy the game and the camaraderie.

“The day was a huge success and we are already planning other events.”

Anthony Blackburn, Founder of Golf in Society, said: “Days out like these are priceless. Not only do they provide physical, mental and social stimulation for the person living with Parkinson’s, they offer the carers the chance to recharge their batteries too.

“One gentleman we help was told he would never play golf again when diagnosed – he now plays every Thursday with me and it’s the highlight of his week.

“My passionate belief is that golf has so much to offer our ageing population, especially those who need care and support in their golden years.

“However, the well-documented challenges people with Parkinson’s face, coupled with research that golf is one of the first activities people give up when diagnosed, made this a big challenge.

“How do you deliver an enjoyable, rewarding and memorable day for people who struggle with balance, co-ordination, stiffness and movement?

Rudding Park

“Rudding Park has an excellent range of facilities for beginners with an amazing team of customer-focussed people. Secondly, we had a fantastic group of golf buddies from the club’s membership who teamed up with their Parkinson’s guests. Thirdly, a local Parkinson’s group committed to helping people with the disease live better lives. And finally, people with Parkinson’s willing to try something new.

“To witness what happened next was amazing!

“Within two hours everyone was hitting golf shots as if they’d played the game all their lives. I have so many wonderful and inspirational memories of the day but all I can say was that it was pretty emotional stuff!”