Getting started
Formed in 2000 by 2 volunteers, Norman Davidson and Philip Patterson the Birdies Special Olympics Golf Club in Silverwood, Craigavon can now boast a membership of 24 from its original 1 playing member, Kathy Davidson.
What is special about this club is that all the members are golfers with a disability and several have gone on to represent Ireland in the World Games.
The 'birdies' club meet every Tuesday at Silverwood Golf and Ski Centre, Craigavon, Co. Armagh where they participate in various activities ranging from tri-golf to on course competitions. All members in the club start at 'Level 1' where they learn how to chip, pitch and putt. From here they progress to 'Level 2' where they play foursomes with a partner on the Par-3 course. From here all aim for 'Level 4' (singles over 9 holes) or 'Level 5' (singles over 18 holes) on the Silverwood Golf Course.
From strength to strength
The club is run by the athletes and their family members, coaches, volunteers and supporters with members elected to a Club Management Team to oversee the general administration. The club is affiliated to Special Olympics Ulster and Ireland and adheres to the Special Olympics policies.
The club, now in its 10th year, has gone from strength to strength and this success is testament to the tireless work of the volunteers who support the golfers every week. The volunteers have taken part in 2 JGI workshops delivered by Junior Golf Ireland's Ulster Regional Development Officer, Gary Lavery. Jenny Anderson and Phillip Patterson approached JGI about 12 months ago in relation to training courses. 2 courses were organised, a Tri-Golf workshop at Killyman Church Hall and more recently a JGI Junior Club workshop at Silverwood Golf and Ski Centre. These workshops assisted the club volunteers to plan and lead sessions that will help the golfers to develop their skills.
The Tri-Golf workshop in August was attended by 14 volunteers and one of the leaders, Dorothy Weir, commented after the workshop that she "never knew how much fun golf could be, especially indoors!". The second workshop was held in November for 7 volunteers who will work alongside ex PGA Professional, Earl Mannie, who is a volunteer coach with the Birdies Club. The volunteers will support Earl with the weekly golf coaching sessions. Another volunteer, Ted Hardy, recently completed the PGA Level 1 Coaching Award through the Belfry as well as the new Special Olympics 'Golf Leaders' course, which was recently launched at Carton House, Maynooth.
A great success
The 'Birdies Golf Club' has been a great success in the area for golfers with a disability. Some of their most notable success stories include Kathy Davidson who won a silver medal at the 2003 World Games. In 2007 at the World Games in Shanghai Jamie Davidson also won silver, narrowly missing out on the gold by a single point.
Congratulations to all those involved in this great club and we wish them continued success in the years ahead!
If you would like further information on Special Olympics Golf you can click here.
