Club given £10k to teach golf to disabled kids

Wharton Park Golf and Country Club in Worcestershire has been awarded £10,000 from the National Lottery to promote golf to juniors – particularly disabled children.

The club’s head PGA professional, Angus Hoare, will use the money to continue the work he has pioneered over the past decade. He has helped develop a junior section featuring 81 members and  attained GolfMark status, and has been coaching local primary school children and disabled youngsters at Blakebrook and Stourminster special schools.

“The children have a range of disabilities and when I first coached I felt a bit out of my depth but the teachers said the kids loved it and got a lot out of it and I think it is important for me as a golf pro to give these children a chance to enjoy this game,” he said.

“In the summer I also did some work with disabled groups at day care centres. It was challenging and different but rewarding too. I taught one man in a wheelchair and he loved it. He managed to hit several balls and also his care manager on the arm with a follow through!”

Wharton Park, which has plans for a covered practice facility and driving range, is also purchasing a special buggy to transport youngsters around the site.

In addition the club will continue to run taster sessions for adults to encourage more people into the game.

“We saw the lottery bid was available and knew there was a lot of work involved in the process to get it but thought, ‘why not?’, as we had good credentials going back 10 to 15 years,” added Hoare.

“With good funding you can achieve good results and this will help us continue the club’s good work.”