B.I.G versus HHDUGC Juniors

British Inclusive Golf played their annual golf match against Halifax, Huddersfield and District Union of Golf clubs Juniors at Ryburn Golf Club, Norland, Halifax on Sunday 20th April. After a 5 -1 defeat in their first encounter at Lightcliffe G C 12 months ago,the members of BIG set their sights on improving the score this year and that they did by turning a defeat into a 5 -1 win. Golfers with a disability travelled from as far as Oxfordshire, Newcastle and Liverpool to represent the Charity.

B.I.G have recently received charity status and work with groups and organisations that help people with Mental Health problems, Down syndrome, Autism and mobility issues in fact they run sessions for anyone who wishes to try golf a sport they thought was not possible for them. They have an office at Longley Park Golf Club in Huddersfield and from there they organise their busy schedule of taster sessions and short courses. They have the opportunity to expand but a shortage of funding is restricting their development that’s why these matches are so important to highlight what someone with a disability can achieve.

B.I.G would like to thank Ryburn Golf Club for their kind hospitality, Tommy Ward for arranging the Juniors to play in the match, the president of HHDUGC Mr Dave Pullen for being their supporting all golfers and the Captain of Ryburn Mr J Coupe for attending the presentation and especially all the BIG members who travelled long distances to support the charity, its not about those who can play golf but about those who can’t or thought they can’t.

Next year the match has a sponsor GRIP PAR from St Helens who has donated the GRIP PAR Challenge Trophy. Each Junior member received a medal from the charity and a cap/visor from Andy Gardner disabled professional golfer who is sponsored by Loudmouth.com.

Results are as follows

Jon Fleetwood/Tom Hunt lost 5 & 3 to Andy Gardner (Oxford)/ Jack Holmes (Halifax)
Ben Pullen / George Castle lost by 1 hole to Adam Eccles (Rotherham) / John Irvine (Blyth)
Charlie Japperly/ Jacob Scargill lost 3 & 2 to Mike Oxley and Ray Brown (Wirrel)
Elliot Lister / Henry Butterworth lost 3 & 2 to Dave Mountford (Rochdale) / Ian Slowther (Newcastle)
Oliver Tasker / Lewis Hopkinson lost 4 & 3 to Tom Fox (Rochdale) / Lewis Eccles (Rotherham)
Josh Morton / Greg Hunter won 3 & 2 against Maurice Lee (sheffield) / John Riorden (Dewsbury)

Anyone who wishes to donate to the charity can do so by visiting the website www.britishinclusive golf.org
and follow the prompts, they really do need financial support to continue their work and help more people.