The beauty of golf is that anyone can come out and play.
For proof of that, look no further than the inaugural Golf Canada Canadian All Abilities Championship held September 23-24th at Humber Valley GC, a municipal course in Etobicoke, Ontario.
More than 30 competitors with physical, intellectual, neurological or sensory impairments teed it up for the two-day event which was postponed from last year due to COVID-19.
JOHANNES GRAMES – VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA
“Both parties, the disabled golfers and the golf courses and the organizations have to start working together and make the game more accessible and work for everybody.
The City of Toronto invested a large amount of capital into Humber Valley to make it more accessible. The improvements include the flattening of entrances to some bunkers and tee boxes to allow ease of use for players with disabilities.
In addition, Humber Valley was gifted a “solo rider” which can be driven onto greens and tee boxes without damaging them and allows a player to swivel into an almost upright position to hit the ball.
Few people hit a ball as well as Tom Miller of London, Ontario. A motorcycle accident 39 years ago cost Tom the use of his right arm but that hasn’t slowed him down a bit. Tom hits a ball better with one arm that most people do with two.
“Playing one handed, I would say just takes one hand out of the way, so it’s easier to make less mistakes.” – Tom Miller
The event was split into four competitions.
Oakville, Ontario’s Natasha Stasiuk won the women’s stroke play while Williamsburg, Ontario’s Kurtis Barkley took the men’s honours.
“Pretty fantastic to hear that they have a tournament just like this. It makes me feel included. I’ve played in other tournaments, but this one feels even more special.” – NATASHA STASIUK
In the stableford division, Tess Trojan of St. Catharines was the women’s winner while Thornhill’s Glenn Babcock took home the men’s trophy.
Next year’s venue has yet to be determined but plans are already underway to make the 2022 All Abilities Championship bigger and better.
By: Hugh Burrill, Golf Town Brand Ambassador