Mearns Castle Golf Academy and Paragolf Scotland hosted a fun day on 24 September to increase awareness of disabled golf and raise funds towards a third Paragolfer at the club.
The Paragolfer, first launched at Mearns Golf Academy by Paragolf Scotland in April this year, makes golf accessible to wheelchair users by raising them into an upright position so that they can swing at the ball.
This innovative device, brought to Scotland with funding and support of the Social Care Ideas Factory (SCIF), The Watson Foundation and The Stand Up and Play Foundation, has three wheels and a joystick control console similar to a power wheelchair.
The recent billboard ad campaign for Channel 4 coverage of Paralympics in Rio was to put a line through the “dis” in “disability”, and reflect the continued results over the years at both national and international level.
I think that we as a nation should recognise the ability in Scots para-sports athletes and players.
To this end, I hope that funding sources continue to grow in recognition of the developing interest of new participants in disabled sports events, building on already strong para-sports teams and individuals, who will become the role models of the future.
