Golf is a sport that provides opportunities for people from all walks of life.
It’s the equal opportunity golf provides for all people regardless of age, gender, physical ability, cultural background, or fitness which truly sets the sport apart.
The Ready Steady Golf program run by Mark Tibbles at The Vines Resort & Country Club exemplifies the inclusivity of golf as a sport.
This inclusive program provides the opportunity for those with special needs to learn the fundamentals of the golf swing and to play golf in a fun, friendly and supportive environment.
Speaking about the program, Tibbles said: “The Ready Steady Golf Program is a program for all abilities, and it is a pathway towards mainstream programs and then onto golf club membership for those that want to go down that path.”
More importantly, the program allows participants to foster new friendships and enables interaction and socialisation within the broader community.
“There’s something in this program for everybody. Some of our golfers have gone on to play in the WA Disabled State Championships while others are just happy to be here to socialise and get the benefits of exercise.”
The WA Golf Foundation has helped fund the program for several years now and in this time the number of participants has grown dramatically.
“When we started off our goal was to get 30 registrations and we got 28 in that first year which was fantastic. In 2018 we had 280 registrations and the program has just gone from strength to strength.”
Adrienne is a regular Ready Steady Golf participant who travels from Warwick each week for the clinics.
“I started this year and have kept coming. It has been really good I’ve learnt so many different things about how golf is done,” Adrienne said.
When asked what her favourite part of the program was, Adrienne replied, “hanging out, making friends, learning new skills and being sociable. It’s all good fun!”
Mark and his team at The Vines are quick to acknowledge the work that the WA Golf Foundation funding has played in facilitating their program.
“The WA Golf Foundation have been wonderful supporters. We are really grateful that they’ve backed us now for five years, which is a wonderful thing, and we hope to continue to grow the program in the future,” Tibbles said.
