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TheSocialGolfer
Handicap: 36
Essex
Pro Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 782
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Dear TSGers,
Just a quick note to tell you about a golf day we supported yesterday and what an inspiration it was.....
One of our fellow members Paul Houghton is the ambassador for the Disabled Golf Association in Essex and is working hard at trying to raise the profile of disability sport, most notably Disabled Golf!
Yesterday saw the second of Paul's Golf Day's at Rivenhall Golf Centre in mid-Essex.
I attended with four other TSGers and was not only blown away by the many people that had given up their time to organise the day but also all those that played.....
It is easy for all us able-bodied golfers to take for granted how simple it is for us to jump in the car and head to the course with nothing to consider other than which ball we are going to use or what handicap our playing partners are playing off..... but consider how much time and effort is required if you have a limb missing or worse - in Ray Edwards - MBE's case four limbs missing - just getting to the club!
I had the pleasure (and I mean REAL pleasure!) of playing with a BLIND golfer for the first time... and was in total awe when I watched my playing partner hit a 200 yard drive with no help with the exception of his guide/caddy lining him up. It was even more impressed when he holed out from 10ft on the last green....
Myself and Paul Thorne then tried to experience this situation for ourselves when we stood on the 18th and played with our eyes shut.... low and behold I was completely paralysed with fear of not being able to hit the ball and being devoid of my natural senses to call on.
I would like to thank Roger Cole (and his guide Colin) for giving me the honour of meeting him and I would also like to applaud Paul, Ray, Sue, Graeme for putting on this day. We raised over £300 between us on the day, which will all go to promote disabled golf in the UK.
I will definitely be a regular attendee on this day going forward and TSG will be sure to support this event again too.... bacon rolls, 18 holes, lasagne lunch and a big dollop of humility... and all for £30!!
Also a big thank to Paul Thorne and all the other TSGers for showing their support.
#aninspiration
Ian
The TSG Team
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Brigitte Lockwo...
Handicap: 30
Middlesex
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 574
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It was indeed very humbling and inspirational to be at Rivenhall yesterday, share the experience and show support to all these marvellous people.
We all had a great day very well organised, thank you to Paul Houghton & TSG .
Count on me for next year's event.
Lovely to meet Ian Mullins, Paul Thorne, Glynis Hale & Greg Butler (my two playing partners.... it was fun playing from the Yellow tees)
Brigitte 
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Paul Houghton
Handicap: 16
Essex
Pro Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 136
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If I could personally thank Ian and all from TSG that supported my event at Rivenhall on Monday.
The aim of this event is to showcase disability golf in Essex.
Ian and I have discussed (at length) the issues that face disability golf, its a fledgling sport which is growing very rapidly throughout Europe.
At a grass roots level the DGA are exposing the sport and its benefits to many disabled people.
On an elite level the sport is heading towards Paralympic inclusion by 2024.
The British Disabled Open in which I shall be competing is at Ufford Park next month is one vehicle.
http://disabledbritishopen.org.uk/
Many thanks again for your support, I shall write a blog for TSG so you can be kept up to speed on the DGA's progress. Our Facebook page has all our current happens if you fancy taking a look.
https://www.facebook.com/#!/disabledgolf?fref=ts
Thanks again for your support
Paul
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Paul Thorne
Handicap: 18
Essex.
Pro Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 12
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Good Morning fellow golfers, Paul's charity golf day at Rivenhall was one of the most all inspiring and humbling days I have ever had. I was paired with Ian and Roger. Roger is a blind golfer and only been playing for 4years. Ian and I stood on the first tee and watched as Roger nailed a 200 yard drive down the middle of the fairway, unbelievable and inspirationable. Then on the last hole Roger sank a 10 foot putt to finish his round, truly truly amazing. Ian and I tried to tee off with our eyes closed on the last hole, after Roger's guide had lined me up, he said ok you are ready to go, well I stood there paralised not knowing what was going on. Roger said "just trust your swing" lucky for me I managed a good drive. It was very scary situation to be put in,. I would to thank Paul for inviting the TSG members to the event, my playing partners Ian and especially Roger and his caddy/guide(Colin) for a memorable days golf. I look forward to playing next year.
Paul
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Brigitte Lockwo...
Handicap: 30
Middlesex
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 574
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Yesterday @ lovely Foxhills (Longcross course) , I told my playing partners about the Rivenhall blind person playing golf and suggested that we try to play one of our drives with our eyes closed to see whether any of us could trust our swing. Well, interestingly enough, only one of us managed as if it was a normal drive............ One hit the ground & the ball shot right into the woods, the other one went a short distance left into the rough, and the last one went straight down the middle of the fairway.
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