From cerebral palsy to the Open – how Turner’s dream came true
A boy it was feared may never walk properly will compete at Carnoustie, writes James Corrigan
When parents push threeyear-old sons into playing golf, it is usually with the dream of seeing them in a major. Well, 19 years after guiding young Ashton to the fairways, Angie and Simon Turner will watch him play in the 147th Open. But this story is anything but the norm.
At the age of one, Ashton fell into a fish tank and fractured his skull. It was then discovered he had a rare form of cerebral palsy called ataxia, which causes an interruption of muscle control in the arms and legs.
Sufferers struggle to perform simple voluntary movements, such as picking up objects. The Lincolnshire family were warned the boy might never be able to walk properly.
Exhaustive sessions of physiotherapy were the doctor’s order, but the routine became so intense that Turner’s parents wondered if there was a sport that could assist with his balance co-ordination and provide some respite.
They decided on golf and Turner’s amazing journey to the Open had thus begun. But there would be plenty of stumbles.
“The problem was I would only walk on my toes, I couldn’t put my heel on the floor properly and when I did fall over I wouldn’t put my hands out, so for the first three years at school I had to wear a crash helmet,” Turner said. Obviously, that did nothing for his confidence. Except in the background, golf was doing its thing.
“I started off just hitting some shots in the garden,” Turner said. “My dad had played a bit, years before. When I was four, I got my first club. It was then when I met Spen.”
Spen is Paul Spence, the pro at Kenwick Park in Louth. Remarkably, he is still Turner’s mentor.
“He told me the other day that not only will this be the first time he has ever coached a player at the Open, but this is the first time he has even attended the Open,” Turner said. “This is a bit of payback from me to him, I suppose.
“Spen helped me when I was very young and, when I was cleared of my condition when I was six, led me through the Wee Wonders [ junior programme], to playing off scratch when I was 14 and representing England through
His parents wondered if there was a sport that could assist his balance – it was golf
all the age groups. My mum and dad will also be with us this week, staying at a house in Dundee, and this is for them as well. After all, they got me into this sport.
“Of course, I can’t remember what happened when I was a toddler, but golf has clearly been great for me. And to get into the Open from where I’ve come from, playing in the same major as Tiger Woods, is just insane.”
It does feel like the completion of an incredible journey, but for Turner this could herald a vital step on the pathway to realising his ambition.
He turned pro two years ago and is still trying to climb from the foothills of the European circuits. On Friday, he finished 10th in the Clipper Logistics Championship in Leeds on the Europro Tour, golf ’s equivalent of the Conference. It was a promising finish that earned £800 (minus the £295 entrance fee). In contrast, 10th place at Carnoustie will net £165,000.
“It is difficult financially, but this is the path that has to be taken and nobody said it’d be easy,” he said. “I feel my game is on an upward curve and coming through regional qualifying and then winning final qualifying at Hollinwell [where he beat former Ryder Cup player Oliver Wilson by three shots] was a big boost. It could happen that this is my big break.
“I’m determined to enjoy the experience, though.” Tomorrow, Turner will play a practice round with Tyrrell Hatton, the world No 23 from Buckinghamshire who shares the same management group in Firestart Sports, and as well as Matt Fitzpatrick – with whom he played for England Boys – he would love to link up for a few holes with Rory Mcilroy.
“And what I’d give to play with Tiger,” Turner said. “You know, make the cut and I could get the dream draw with him on Saturday and Sunday.”