SNN_Dec 2021 Issue_web low res

SPINAL NETWORK NEWS 17
He met with Christian Hamilton, the Inclusion and Senior
Manager for Golf Australia, and it proved to be a life
changing chat.
He told Andrew he could play and get a ranking on the
world ranking system which could lead to the
Paralympics in the future. “I was really excited by that
and it gave me a focus for the future.”
He now plays golf with a cart at his home club
Maungakiekie Golf Club. It’s a huge thrill to compete with
able bodied players.
Hamilton also gave him the blueprint to increase the
profile of disability golf in NZ. “I love teaching so I
thought golf could be an ideal pathway for me to help
others,” he says.
Andrew contacted Allan Deardon, the President of
Amputee Golf NZ (which is also known as Amputee and
Disability Golf). Andrew immediately became the
Secretary and a year later is now the President.
“Most people who are in a Spinal Unit aren’t thinking
about golf, they just want to get back to normal life,” he
says. “They need to accept their ‘new’ normal and get
ready for the life that awaits them. After some healing,
when they come to try golf and discover it is possible,
they’ll be hooked. Further, when they come out on the
golf course it’s a game changer.
“If they dwell too much on what they have lost and all the
things they cannot do, then they’ll end up in a real bad
head space. But if they keep pushing and think why not
and give it a go, it can be a real light bulb moment. It is
possible. Anything is possible.”
Andrew says the goal is to have one annual national
event, one North Island and one South Island. He wants
to create a pathway for disabled golfers.
It’s this work that saw him recognised as the All Abilities
Golfer of the Year by Golf New Zealand. The award was
given to a player who has inspired others to play golf and
has overcome an obstacle to play golf.
“I take great pride in the good work we’ve done. It was
nice to be awarded and recognised,” he says.
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