Thanks to the support of The R&A, EDGA encouraged children with limb difference to get started in golf during The Open this week in Northern Ireland.
Working with national charity Reach and supporting Golf Ireland as part of a developing project, EDGA’s Head of Instruction and Education Mark Taylor, and Community Instructor and rehabilitation physiotherapist Lee-Ann Clarke who is based in Northern Ireland,
encouraged a group of boys and girls through first coaching and fun challenges in The R&A Swingzone, just a chip and a putt away from where golf’s biggest names were teeing it up at Royal Portrush.
We had Leah, Theo and Isaac showing us their best shots. This session was all about the fun and movement of swinging a club – the children previously having discovered golf at local sports festivals.
Leah turned the tables on Coach Mark by making him hit shots off one leg, with one arm and with his eyes closed. Then Leah was amazed to meet Sky Golf Sports presenter Nick Dougherty who joined in the games. Leah’s Dad Ross Hompstead said: “This is only Leah’s second go – her first one with EDGA at Cairndhu Golf Club, Larne, was really good thanks to the welcoming atmosphere
of the club and she has loved it here today with Lee-Ann and Mark’s coaching and then challenging Nick, a great day.”
Both Leah and Theo are to be assisted by prosthetics expert Koalaa, who will be able to provide prototype designs that will enable both to swing confidently with two arms if they wish, as they learn the game.