Mottram Hall Golf Club teaching professional Matt Turnock has enjoyed his coaching sessions with the Stroke Association for the past six years and he is now getting support from the Cheshire Union of Golf Clubs.
Matt, working in conjunction with the Cheshire East Branch of the Stroke Association,and been funded by the Cheshire Union at Mottram Hall for a series of four lots of group lessons for people recovering from strokes, for golfers who are returning to the game or for people coming to the game for the first time.
CUGC Chairman David Durling (Shrigley Hall GC), said: “I think the approach to CUGC came via Matt Turnock, but it was given more interest to us through the fact that our former county secretary Peter Whitehead was involved after suffering from a stroke.
“As a result, we agreed to sponsor the sessions and we would do the same in the future, I think. We did consider staging a Disability Open but the logistics defeated us I am afraid. We may revisit this after Unification with Cheshire Ladies later in the year.”
Matt added: “The third session on the range went very well. The participants are feeling the benefits of what they have been doing over the past weeks in terms of helping their concentration, core strength, stamina and focus plus they are doing something enjoyable and different that is helping their rehabilitation.
“The other element to the sessions is the social aspect in that some great friendships have been formed amongst the group and it gives a sense of connection and common ground.
“To come together, chat and relax is also greatly therapeutic for everyone.
“I’ll be delivering four sessions in total this season and over the past 5/6 years since I began the partnership with the Stroke Association it’s probably been 25-30 sessions with around 40-50 different participants.
“I will hopefully deliver between four and eight sessions next summer depending on the funding but as well as Cheshire County Golf Union saying they will support Mottram management have also expressed they will make a commitment as well.”
CUGC secretary Steve Doughty said: “I had the pleasure of attending the session and I have to say it was awe-inspiring to see what these people have been through and now hitting golf balls. There were a lot of very good shots too!!
“It shows the power of golf! It would be great to continue this programme in the future.
“One of the pupils was Peter Whitehead. Considering everything he has gone through, he was in really good form and to see him hit golf shots from his wheel chair was just so wonderful.”
