This man has become golf’s first accredited coach for deaf people

A PGA professional in Lincolnshire has become the first person who works in golf in England to achieve the DEAFinitely Inclusive Mark, the accreditation scheme that was launched last year.

Darren Game teaches at his indoor Bourne Golf Centre and his Lincolnshire Junior Academy at Toft Golf Club, and has been recognised for making golf more accessible to deaf people.

Darren Game

UK Deaf Sport launched the quality kite mark, supported by Sport England’s Inclusive Sport Fund, for all sports clubs and leisure facilities to improve the provision of deaf sport across the country last November. According to research, only 10 per cent of deaf adults take part in sport once a week, compared to 40 per cent of non-disabled adults.

The mark means that deaf and hard of hearing people can be assured that Game will provide a good service and is a coach trained in deaf awareness.

Game said: “Golf is a great sport for deaf and disabled people, whether it’s developing your own skills and etiquette or playing as part of a team.

“Making the game accessible to all within the local community is a passion of mine and obtaining the DEAFinitely Inclusive Mark will open up the game to more people.”

Becoming DEAFinitely Inclusive was a key aim for Game as he continued to develop his skills and make his existing coaching and playing opportunities more inclusive for deaf and hard of hearing people.

He is a keen advocate that golf can be a game for all and has worked hard to develop links in his local area. These include Willoughby School where pupils with a range of impairments have benefitted from being involved in golf. Two of the pupils are continuing their golf at Toft, where Game has a junior development role.

Jamie Blair, disability manager for England Golf commented: “It is really pleasing to see a coach and a facility make a strong commitment to including deaf participants in their golfing activity.

“England Golf will continue to encourage more facilities to adopt the mark and engage with their local deaf networks in partnership with UK Deaf Sport and England Deaf Golf.”

Clive Breedon, national participation officer from UK Deaf Sport commented: “UK Deaf Sport are very pleased to accredit Bourne Golf Centre and their work with The Lincolnshire Junior Golf Academy as DEAFinitely Inclusive. Darren is keen to make golf accessible to people who are deaf or hard of hearing so we look forward to supporting him to do so.”