The Vines Golf & Country Club has enhanced its reputation as a champion of inclusivity after staging its latest All Abilities golf event.
The Ready Steady Golf – Salty Fish All Abilities Tournament attracted a field of 48 players with physical, psychological and intellectual challenges of all ages and abilities, along with family members and volunteers.
The tournament is an off-shoot of the Ready Steady Golf program for people with a disability, which was established by PGA Professional Mark Tibbles more than a decade ago.
Ready Steady Golf has been supported by the WA Golf Foundation since its inception and provides a program for children and adults with additional needs. Its long-term goal is to provide pathways for individuals to transition to mainstream golfing programs, social golf and club membership.
Peter West, whose son Joseph has a mild intellectual disability and cerebral palsy, said Joseph’s third-place finish will be an achievement he dines out on for many moons.
“Golf is funny with Jo. Every term, like clockwork, the ‘Nah, don’t want to go,’ and ‘I’m doing something else,’ excuses turn up as he does get anxious,” Peter said post-event.
“When the day is finished it’s all he talks about. Now that he got third place and a prize it’s all I’ll hear for months!”
Like Jo, Evan Lee has a mild intellectual disability and cerebral palsy, and was similarly excited by the medal he received for playing alongside his father.
“Evan had a wonderful time and was so proud to show off his participant medal to all at our family dinner last night,” said Evan’s mother, Jane. “He’s worn it to school this morning, too.”
Mark Tibbles (right) addresses participants ahead of the All Abilities golf tournament
There were also representatives from Special Olympics Australia, Variety Children’s Charity, Sport4All and the WA Disabled Sports Association.
Western Australia State Coordinator for Special Olympics Australia, Kendall King, spoke glowingly of the spirit in which the tournament was conducted.
“The event truly captured the spirit and values of Special Olympics – inclusion, unity and the power of sport to bring people together,” said Kendall.
“It was a celebration of inclusion and perseverance as an opportunity to showcase the skills and dedication of participants, some of whom have been involved for over 10 years, alongside others experiencing the joy of being on a golf course for the very first time.
“It serves as a powerful reminder of what’s possible when we take a strength-based approach by focusing on what athletes can do, not what they can’t.”
Find out more about the Ready Steady Golf program here.
