Great work by Mottram’s pro

AN award-winning Cheshire PGA professional is helping prove that golf is a game for all.

Matthew Turnock, the resident PGA professional at De Vere Mottram Hall Golf Club, has been working with groups of all ages and abilities to enable them to enjoy a sport that offers many health and social benefits.

Now his work in developing disability golf sessions and beginners courses has been recognised after the club was named an Inclusive Centre of Excellence by the Cheshire County Golf Partnership.

Matthew, one of the PGA professionals who delivered free lessons to spectators in the Swing Zone at the Open Championship at Royal Liverpool, offers a wide range of pathways into golf.

He offers Get Into Golf group sessions for beginners with five one-hour sessions costing just £25.

He is also one of the Cheshire CGP’s seven Academy Programme coaches, who help promising young players develop their skills as a stepping stone towards potential county honours or to simply get the most from the game.

But it is his work with disability groups that has seen him receive a special PGA and ISPS Handa Academy award.

Matthew (right) has worked with groups such as special needs children, the Wheelies at Tytherington High School, amputees and adults and says of his commitment to help all groups: “It’s been very rewarding for me to be able to do this.

“With my own mother being severely crippled with rheumatoid arthritis for most of her life, she was the inspiration for me to get involved.”

As well as providing an introduction to the skills needed to play golf, Matthew takes groups out on the par-three course at Adlington to broaden their experience and offers follow-up coaching.

“All groups are able to get something from golf,” he added. “We are able to tailor the coaching to suit their different needs.

“To see how determined they are that their disability will not hold them back is truly inspiring.”

Styal seniors were their usual hardy selves as they enjoyed a singles Stableford with Alan Beckett posting a fabulous 47 points to finish ahead of J Parr, Neil Appleby and Len Rowland (all 45).

It needed a card play-off on 39 points to see Eddie Birchenhough top division one in a Saturday Sta-