Amputee tees off regardless (From Free Press Series)

Amputee tees off regardless

10:44am Sunday 6th July 2008

• Print
• Email
• Share

A CONSTRUCTION worker is swapping his tools for clubs today as he competes in the British Amputee Golf Association (BAGA) Tournament.

Site manager Gareth Williams, of Cwmbran, is currently working on the £4 million Willmott Dixonproject to construct a new Food Industries Centre at the Llandaff Campus of the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff.

But today the 47-year-old, will be taking time off to use tools of a different kind.

Gareth lost his leg in an accident 18 years ago. He was standing between two cars which were linked by a tow rope when a van travelling at 60 mph smashed into the back of one of the cars and crushed his leg.

He said: "I've been playing golf for the last 10 years, I never really took it up before I lost my leg but it's the sort of sport I can do and enjoy."

Gareth only found out about the British Amputee Golf Association by chance when he wandered off a path at Brynmeadow golf course in Caerphilly.

He said: "I played golf the once and I went off the path with the buggy. The owner of the course came to tell me off and we started talking. It turned out that he had two legs amputated and he told me all about the British Amputee Golf Association."

The first BAGA golf championship was held at Brynmeadow Golf and Country Club in 1989. The championship is returning to the South Wales course to commemorate its 20th year with 70 competitors from all over the world.

On Sunday, July 6, BAGA will be holding a special 20th Anniversary Mayo Cup tournament where the top 16 UKplayers will do battle against the top 16 International players in true Ryder Cup style.

Willmott Dixon employee Gareth said: "I'm not too bad at golf, I did come third in the competition once and I've got a handicap of 15. But I don't do it to win, it's basically more about the social side of it for me.

"I do think that the awareness is low for this sort of event and about the association. There are probably lots of people who have had an amputation who don't know about it and it's good.

"There's about seven of us in South Wales who go abroad for tournaments. They really should come along and get involved in it."

• Print
• Email
• Share