THE picturesque Bingley St Ives Golf Club in West Yorkshire has joined forces with International Mixed Ability Sports (IMAS) and recruited new members who traditionally have faced barriers to joining community golf clubs.
Mixed Ability involves participants with and without disabilities coming together to participate, compete and socialize.
Mark Goodwin co-founder of IMAS gave some perspective on the growth of Mixed Ability activities in recent years. “Twelve years ago, we had one person with a learning disability and cerebral palsy who wanted to play rugby, his dream was facilitated by a local club and the community who played there. Just two months ago he took part in an IMAS led tournament with over 1,000 players coming together in Ireland, from countries as diverse as Canada and Argentina. I can see this growth being repeated in golf, and the growth is led by individuals in St Ives and Saltford golf clubs”.
IMAS Development Manager, Dan Hine added, “These sessions are a great opportunity to be involved in a calm and enjoyable environment, whilst having social opportunities with players from all backgrounds.
Bingley St Ives members are now playing and mentoring new players of all abilities.
Alan Thornber, co-founder of Mixed Ability Golf at Bingley St Ives explained what motivated him. “My son played in this year’s IMAS organized Mixed Ability Rugby World Cup and I was discussing this with my pal Meg, we thought ‘Why can’t we do something, with the support of IMAS, at our golf club?
“We wanted to offer an activity that would enable anyone, who for whatever reason, would normally not have had the opportunity to ‘have a go’ at golf. Fortunately, the club got on board, specifically Carole our Chairperson, and Adam the Greenkeeper and here we are, playing golf on what was the old practice area. It is now a 5 hole ‘pitch and putt’ course, not only enjoyed by our Mixed Ability group but a facility used by all our members”.
Carole Barrott – Chair of Bingley St Ives added, “Two of our members Alan and Meg approached me and asked about hosting a Mixed Ability taster session at the club. We are a Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC) and so were delighted to get the opportunity to show that we are fully representative and welcome a diverse membership.
“What stands out to me since we began these sessions, is that the disabled participants have not only become better at golf but have moved on to enjoy the social interaction at the club in the 19th!”
Beginners are supported by regular club members
Graham ‘Meg’ Buttrick – Co-Founder of the MA group at Bingley St Ives
“My nephew Gareth has learning and physical disabilities, and I wanted him to have the same opportunities as me to enjoy golf in these beautiful surroundings.
On of the new participants stated in April: “I started playing golf because my brother Wayne plays, I’m getting better every week. The staff and members are lovely and it’s a great way to socialize and make new friends.”
How to get involved:
Mixed Ability Golf runs on a Thursday evening, 4.30pm – 6pm at Saltford Golf for people of all abilities aged 17+. To find out more, email inclusion officer [email protected]
At Bingley St Ives the adult Mixed Ability sessions run fortnightly on Mondays between 4 and 6pm. To join or find out more email Alan [email protected]
To start your club’s journey into Mixed Ability [email protected]