Golf Business News – England Golf takes a look at a deaf golfer in new 'We're All Golfers' video

Keen golfer Martin Broomfield is deaf and admits to going through some tough times, including depression, but has found golf to be a turning point in improving his quality of life after turning his love of the game into a job as a greenskeeper in Stourbridge. Golf Club in the West Midlands.

The Stourbridge native first discovered his love of golf at the tender age of eight when he lived near a local club and wanted to try the sport. It was a day that would shape a large part of his life.

However, after an initial love for the game, Broomfield stopped playing for nearly 20 years before rediscovering his love for the game in his adult life.

The social, physical and mental health benefits of the game had a huge impact on Broomfield, who admitted that there was a part of his life where he suffered from depression. It highlights the importance of the role sport can play in the lives of people of all backgrounds, abilities and ages.

Discussing his return to the sport at his age, he said: “Golf has made me feel so much better about myself – getting out for a breath of fresh air and enjoying my surroundings. A few years ago, I was depressed. Looking back, I am much better now than I was then. Overall, golf has made my life better.”

According to the Royal National Institute for the Deaf, one in three adults in the UK is deaf, hard of hearing or suffers from tinnitus. England Golf, the national governing body for junior golf in England, prides itself on making the game fun, accessible and inclusive for everyone in terms of not only the opportunities for the game but also the activities of the sport. This is something Broomfield has reaped the benefits of after taking on the role of greenskeeper at Stourbridge Golf Club.

Broomfield is urging everyone from any background to come down to their local golf club to give the game a try, praising the support he has received on his journey in the sport.

He said: “I would encourage anyone to go to a driving range or golf course with a driving range. If you have a disability, the golf club will help you take care of it and support you.”

Teri Devine, Director of Inclusion at RNID, said: “Deaf people can do anything, and it's great to see England Golf celebrating this with its 'We're All Golfers' series and sharing Martin's story.
“People who are deaf or hard of hearing are twice as likely to have mental health problems, so it's more important than ever that places and services like sports, which can have a positive impact on all of our lives, involve everyone. .”

Broomfield's story is part of England Golf's We are all golfers series, a three-part video series that shines a light on individual stories of how players from around the country adapt to their needs so that they can enjoy the benefits that golf brings.

His story embodies Golf England's greatest honor in the golf movement, to inspire, encourage and create greater understanding and acceptance of equality, diversity and inclusion within the sport. The organization is designed to bring people to golf from all ages, genders, abilities and backgrounds.

For more information on Respect in Golf, visit www.englandgolf.org/respect-in-golf.