Disabled Vale youngsters getting to grips with golf
A group of disabled teenagers from two schools in the Vale of Glamorgan are getting in the swing of golf in weekly sessions at the St Andrews Major Golf Club near Barry.
Many of the 12 pupils from the Ashgrove and Ysgol Maes Dyfan special needs schools have never previously played golf, and are really enjoying their chance to pick up skills in a new sport.
The sessions have been made possible thanks to a link-up between the Vale of Glamorgan Council’s Disability Sport Wales Officer Simon Jones, Golf Union Wales, Wales Disabled Golf and the St Andrews Major Golf Club professional John Hastings.
John is giving the youngsters advice as they practice their swings on the driving range and is also passing on putting tips.
St Andrews Major Golf Club are keen to attract more members with disabilities, encouraging people who wouldn’t normally have thought about golf to go along and try out the sport.
The Vale Council’s Disability Sport Wales Officer Simon Jones said: "Everyone at the golf club has been extremely accommodating and the sessions are letting the youngsters get a taste of how enjoyable it is to play golf. The lessons have a fun element to them, whilst also teaching the key skills that are required to become a skilled golfer. Hopefully these lessons can be repeated in the future so that more disabled people can enjoy the sport with everyone else."
Zoe Thacker, from Golf Union Wales, added: "Golf is open to everyone and I hope that all of these youngsters really enjoy their experience of picking up a club for the first time at St Andrews Major Golf Club. If they then go on to take up the sport in their own time that would be fantastic."
