Eccles storms to UK Disabled Open victory at The Shire London

THE SHIRE LONDON, BARNET, UK – The new star in the world of disabled golf is a 14 year-old from Rotherham called Lewis Eccles. Remember his name.

Representing Special Olympics GB the young Yorkshireman, who despite his autism, ADHD and dyspraxia has become a passionate and regular golfer, smashed his personal best in shooting an astonishing gross 78 off a 12-handicap on the challenging Ballesteros Masters Course at The Shire London, to walk away with the 3rd annual UK Disabled Open, staged by golf’s most inclusive charity The Golf Trust on Monday 27th July 2015.

His fellow competitors on the day have successfully overcome a huge variety of challenges in life to become golfers, including amputation, sensory disabilities, MS, Parkinson’s, strokes, autism, brain injuries, cerebral palsy, Downs Syndrome and learning difficulties.

With supporters ranging from British Airways and England Golf to Colleen Ramsey Cakes, and with dozens of volunteers helping the 70 competitors with everything other than actually hitting the ball, this year’s UK Disabled Open was not only the largest pan-disability golf event of the year, but also the most extravagantly well-attended.

The 200-strong gathering started the day by watching a video message from Justin Rose, 2013 U.S Open Champion and current world #5 golfer. Specially-recorded to inspire competitors in this year’s event, the message from Rose – who is an Ambassador for both British Airways and England Golf – added a special touch of Tour golf glamour to what was already an exciting atmosphere.

Out on Seve’s golf course the BA theme continued, with air hostesses greeting golfers on the first tee, before The Shire London’s own David Rose did his best Ivor Robson impression while announcing the starters.

And as well as supplying an amazing 70 on-course volunteers, the global airline also put up two fabulous Nearest The Pin prizes that for once were really worth winning – Club World flights to anywhere in Europe.

With Shire London members adding their support across the golf course, Eccles quickly built an unassailable lead, and afterwards was presented the Craig Waugh Trophy in the clubhouse by Graeme Robertson from the Disabled Golf Association and Mark Pickard from British Airways.

In winning this year's main event Eccles completed a hat-trick, as the delighted young golfer won the Junior Prize in this event in 2013 and 2014. In addition to the trophy, he also won a 36-hole golf break in Wales, a golf shirt signed by Rose and free entry for his team into August’s The Golf Trust charity golf day.

Amie Bullock, an Egham golfer who has MS and represents the Disabled Golf Association, picked up the Ladies’ trophy, and 18-year old Bobby David from Ascot, a golfer with autism representing Special Olympics GB won the Junior Prize as the next-nearest junior golfer after Lewis Eccles.

The BA Club World tickets for Nearest The Pin were won by Jake Conroy, a 19 year-old cerebral palsy golfer from Hemel Hempstead representing the Disabled Golf Association and Welshman Jason Heathfield, a partially-sighted ex-serviceman representing the Battle Back sports initiative from the M.O.D.

“What an honour it was to host this event at The Shire London for the third year” said event organiser Cae Menai-Davis, co-founder of The Golf Trust. “The support from British Airways, England Golf and many others was phenomenal, and the event showed the true meaning of the sport. Lewis played great golf by any standards.

“The UK Disabled Open 2015 inspired us all to keep pushing The Golf Trust’s message that we need more inclusivity across the sport” he said.

Mark Pickard at British Airways said: “My colleagues and I at BA all look forward to this inspiring annual event, and we are honoured to supporting and volunteering at the UK Disabled Open”.

The winner’s proud father, Peter Eccles, said: “Lewis had a fantastic day both on and off the Seve course at The Shire London, which was in amazing condition. Our thanks go to the organisers, who have created a truly inspiring event”.

The Disabled Golf Association’s Graeme Robertson said: “It's amazing to have so many players of different abilities/disabilities all playing together at a top golf course. This year’s event showed how the human mind has the power to overcome adversity, and it should encourage other disabled people to start playing golf”.

England Deaf Golf chairman Ben Stephens said: “There are very few golf events which incorporate all disabilities playing together in one event which makes the UK Disabled Open such a valuable event. I would definitely encourage all deaf golfers to take part in future events to support The Golf Trust”.

Follow The Golf Trust’s activities on Twitter (@TheGolfTrust) or Facebook (thegolftrust), or via their website www.thegolftrust.com. Lewis Eccles can be found on Twitter at @lewisgolf2000.

Ends.

If you’d like more information about this topic, or if you are member of the media wishing to play The Shire London, please call or email Andy Hiseman on +44 (0)1226 781000 / andy@hiseman.com

Andy Hiseman, Magic Hour Media
+44 (0)7795 360112, andy@hiseman.com
Web: www.magichourmedia.co.uk

Cae Menai-Davis, cae@thegolftrust.com, BASED AT The Shire London, St Albans Road, Barnet, Herts EN5 4RE, United Kingdom
Web: www.theshirelondon.com. Tel: +44 (0)20 8441 7649

Cae Menai-Davis, The Golf Trust (event organiser)

“What an honour it was to host this event at The Shire London for the third year as it continues to grow. The support shown by British Airways was as phenomenal as always, and our thanks also goes to England Golf for providing the leaderboard which added a professional feel to the event. This year’s tournament showcased the true meaning of golf – 150 people socialising over a game that we all love, laughing, joking and smiling. Volunteers, golfers and supporters were united in their message that golf is truly a game for all. This message was echoed by our winner, 14 year old Lewis Eccles from Waterfront GC near Rotherham, and a Special Olympics GB golfer. Lewis shot a magnificent gross 78, scoring 42 points off a handicap of 12. That’s great golf by any standards. Lewis is supported by a great father (Peter) who caddied for him, and his family and friends had also made the long trip down to The Shire to support him on the day. Golf gets a lot of stick but events like this only inspire us to keep pushing for The Golf Trust message to be heard more widely – that message being that we need more inclusivity across the sport.”

Pete Eccles, father of winner Lewis Eccles

“Thanks to Cae and the team for organising and hosting the Golf Trust UK Disabled Open at The Shire London. It’s an outstanding course and a superb clubhouse in which we were made to feel very welcome. Lewis had a fantastic day on and off the course, topped off with winning the overall UK Disabled Open title. The Seve course was in fantastic condition which allowed him to play his best-ever round of golf on the way to winning, but the whole day was made special by the fantastic atmosphere and spirit in which the tournament was competed. A truly inspiring day of disabled golf. We look forward to returning for The Golf Trust charity golf day and the forthcoming Special Olympic GB National Championships”.

Mark Pickard, British Airways

“Once again British Airways were honoured to continue volunteering and supporting The Golf Trust's UK Disabled Open 2015. Our colleagues volunteered in various roles from caddying, scoring and supporting the competitors, to celebrating their achievements at the presentation. My colleagues at BA look forward to this annual event as it is inspiring to see how inclusive golf can be, the friendships which are made and seeing at first-hand the sheer competitive edge and determination of all competitors involved".

Ashley Harris, Competitor

“Firstly, thank you for staging such an amazing event. I am very grateful to The Golf Trust and to The Shire London – it’s the only way 70 golfers with different disabilities could ever have competed for a trophy with so much meaning. I totally back what The Golf Trust is doing, from personal experience. I'm 23, have been playing golf for 10 years, and have a young family. Five years ago I was diagnosed with RA, and I have gone steadily downhill since. I now have Ankylosing Spondylitis, which means my back is fusing together. I have worked with Devon PGA and Surrey Golf partnership previously in youth development, looking at getting kids age 4-10 into golf via tri golf and crossgolf. I have also done my Level One PGA and worked with disabled youngsters doing active sessions and discos. I have worked for the European Tour as a Marshall and volunteer at The Ryder Cup, The Solhiem Cup and also the PGA at Wentworth, The Irish open and The Wales open, where I was fortunate enough to caddy for Thongchai Jaidee. Caddying was going to be my route before my RA got hold of me. I am also educated, I went to Kingston Uni and studied Golf Management and Business in sport. My passion for golf knows no ends and I want other people to find the game and get out of it what I have and still do”.

Graeme Robertson, Disabled Golf Association

"On behalf of all members of the Disabled Golf Association, I'd like to thank Cae and the Menai-Davis family for their continued support of disabled golf. It's amazing to have so many players of different abilities/disabilities all playing together at a top golf course. This year’s golfers included amputees, one-arm, blind, deaf, MS, Parkinsons, stroke survivors, autism, brain injuries, cerebral palsy, Downs syndrome and intellectual difficulties. A great day was had by all and even the weather was kind to us. Our overall winner, Lewis Eccles, was presented with the Craig Waugh Trophy. This year’s event showed how the human mind has the power to overcome adversity and to encourage other disabled people to return to or start playing golf with all the therapeutic values that can bring.”

Ben Stephens, England Deaf Golf

“Six players from England Deaf Golf attended and took part at this year’s UK Disabled Open by The Golf Trust. Five were male deaf golfers and we had one deaf lady golfer – Debbie Kettener – who was making her 18- hole competition debut. The UK Disabled Open is a really well-organised event for all disabled golfers. The event has fantastic support from main sponsors British Airways who provide their staff for the day to help the golfers to find their balls during the round and hold/remove the flags from the hole while putting. This makes it easier for all disabled golfers taking part. There are very few golf events which incorporate all disabilities playing together in one event which makes the UK Disabled Open such a valuable event. The low entry fees are ideal, and the enjoyment levels which disabled golfers get from taking part in this event are fantastic. It was nice to mix and communicate with other disabled golfers. I would definitely encourage as many deaf golfers as possible to take part in future events to support The Golf Trust. The Shire London is a challenging course to play on: everyone from England Deaf Golf was complimentary about the quality of the course, and we all look forward to next year’s event. The Golf Trust is a fantastic charity to support and they have provided a lot of initiatives which encourage disabled golfers to take up the game of golf. This is hugely encouraging to see!”

About The Golf Trust
www.thegolftrust.com

The Golf Trust was created to highlight and develop the inclusive values of golf. We feel that anyone and everyone should have the opportunity to play the sport regardless of circumstance. We seek to remove the barriers to participation so that everyone can play the sport we love. Our work is predominately outreach focused, taking the sport to inner city communities and places one may not usually associate golf with. The ComGolf project has worked tirelessly in London and the South East coaching over 10,000 people since September 2011. We've teamed up with organisations that share our aims to deliver fun community based projects with educational, health and technical performance outcomes.

About The Shire London and The Bridgedown Group
www.theshirelondon.com

The Shire London is a 27-hole facility near Barnet, north London, featuring the only Severiano Ballesteros-designed golf course in the UK. Its 18-hole Ballesteros Masters Course measures 7,028 yards, with six par 3s, six par 4s and six par 5s. Its 9-hole Ballesteros Challenge Course features a mix of par 3s and 4s, and is the ideal introduction to golf for all ages and abilities. The Shire Academy is one of the leading teaching centres in the south of England, and with the tranquil setting of the golf course, first class conference rooms and a top-rated restaurant, The Shire London is also a well-equipped and popular venue for golf societies, corporate golf days, conferencing and banqueting. It is situated two minutes from the M25/A1(M) South Mimms junction, with easy access to the motorway network.

Sister facility the West London Golf Centre is a high-quality golf facility located near Northolt in West London, open to the public. One of London’s best-equipped golf centres, WLGC features a 9-hole, 3,037 Yard Par 36 golf course (opens June 2014); a floodlit 26-bay range; a Dinosaur Adventure Golf attraction (opens summer 2014); a Putting & Short Game Zone (opens summer 2014); a 4,500sq ft american golf superstore offering custom-fitting; a Scott Cranfield golf school; and the fully-licensed Coffee House bar and restaurant. Another 18 holes will soon be available on the adjacent West London Links, a championship-length golf course set to open in 2017.

The Shire London, West London Golf Centre and West London Links are created, owned and operated by The Bridgedown Group. The Group has also announced plans to create The Dye London club near Edgware in north London, bringing world-famous golf architects Dye Designs to the UK for the first time. The Bridgedown Group is a family-run business involving Tony and Anne Menai-Davis and their sons Ceri and Cae.