Getting back to golf after stroke - James Gribble (Empower Golf)
How many sports can people suffering strokes really play and enjoy? What is the only truly lifelong sport experienced outside in the great outdoors? Which activity allows players of all abilities to play, enjoy and compete together?
Empower Golf Australia’s mission is to facilitate and promote golf for less able Australians. They are currently establishing a network of golf clubs to provide access and support to disabled individuals. Apart from funding and providing equipment for disabled golfers, Empower delivers a pathway for individuals to try, improve and compete in golf through organising development clinics, coaching and tournaments.
At development golf clinics, individuals of any standard or ability will be able to try golf, the incredible ParaGolfer and other adaptive equipment under the expert guidance of an accredited PGA professional.
The ParaGolfer is an all-terrain revolutionary mobility device which manoeuvres individuals into the standing position to replicate the full golfing experience.
The ParaGolfer is particularly popular with stroke sufferers as it can provide strong or minimal support in the standing position. Uniquely the joystick allows full operational control to manoeuvre around the golf course with a single hand, the golf bag and clubs can be accessed on the same side and a one armed swing performed at a variety of heights.
Empower runs clinics almost daliy operates nationally out of 4 states and 10 inclusive facilities with the goal of having all states and 30 sites established in the next 12 months.
Here are our clinics scheduled in June:
NSW
Shelly Beach GC – Friday 2nd, 1 – 4 PM
Moore Park GC – Friday 2nd, 6 – 8 PM and Thursday 22nd, 1 – 4 PM
Long Reef GC – Wednesday 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th, 1-3PM
Muirfield GC – Friday 9th, 1 – 4 PM
The Ridge GC – Monday 19th, 1 – 4 PM
North Turramurra GC – Monday 26th, 1 – 4 PM
QLD
Parkwood GC – Thursday 1st, 10 – 1 PM
VIC
Sandhurst GC – Saturday 24th, 1 – 4 PM
WA
Wembley GC – Sunday 25th, 1 – 4 PM – TBC
James Gribble, founder of Empower Golf was an obsessive golfer prior to breaking his neck and is now one of the only quadriplegic golfers in the country. He has experienced first hand how golf can change someone's life as both an able-bodied and now disabled individual and believes almost anyone can now access the game.
"Golf is the only sport with the unique handicap system which allows individuals to enjoy and compete irrespective of age, gender or ability. It delivers physical, mental and psychological benefits as well as a sense of community which is key for overall health and quality of life."
Speaking of his experiences with Empower Golf, "I recently had an individual who had been wheelchair-bound for over 20 years in tears after his first session in the ParaGolfer. Not only was he standing upright again after all that time but returning to his favourite sport, one he thought he had lost forever."
