Hi Gary here,

Just a reminder to you good people - please go to Albums (click top or bottom), then click on the link at the bottom ('click here for music with slide show'). You'll be reminded how courageous and determined you Amputees are. Great song too, don't forget to turn your speakers up. :o)

Please also read Aidan's golf story. Aidan started First Swing Golf Clinics at the age of 12 and is now 15.

Enjoy,

Gary

 

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17^th September 2011

Junior SA Open will be played on the Monday 7th November. Tee off 9.00am with dinner and presentation to follow.

Contact Aidan Barry or Gary Hart for details

 

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15^th September 2011

Tribute to Don Bigler

It is with sadness that I ask Craig Van Kessel (US Ambassador for SAAGA) to say a few words on behalf of SAAGA at the US Nationals in Phoenix, Arizona

Don was a joy to be around, a no-nonsense and straight to the point kinda guy. I was fortunate enough to have spent time with him at two US Nationals, in Scotland and, of course, last year's South Australian Open.

We spoke at length in regards to our Junior programme; he was very impressed with them; they all took to Don in a big way.

I offer mine and SAAGA's condolences to Billie and the Bigler family.

Don sometimes found it difficult to understand my accent; I nicknamed him" Helmet ". When he asked why I said, because I reckon he never wore a " Helmet " while playing Football. He laughed. I asked whether it was it because he had a thick head, or because he didn't want to flatten the flat top, to which he burst into laughter.

In closing, with permission from the Biglers !!

I would like to name a trophy after Don for our Juniors; it will be the Don Bigler Junior achievement award.

They broke the mould Don when you left us mate. RIP

 

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14^th September 2011

The latest news from the SDGP.

Playing places at the Elmwood Golf Club match on Saturday 24 September are all fillled. There are however, still 4 playing places remaining for Balbirnie Golf Club in early October. Both these games will be Challenge Cup competitions with golf club members, as well as Scottish Order of Merit games.

http://www.sdgp.co.uk/2011/Stan/teams.html

This link will take you to the information page for the inaugural Scotland v England, Auld Enemies Cup match, taking place from Friday 7 to Sunday 9 October. Both teams have now been announced and are listed on the page, which will also be updated during the event with scores and pictures. The handicapped event will incorporate six pairs from each team in a traditional match play foursomes on day one and fourballs on day two, finishing off with twelve singles games on day three.

After an early start away back in March, the 2011 season will conclude in late October at Tulliallan Golf Club, where our annual prizes will be presentted for the disabled players and coaches Order of Merit, as well as the two Championship trophies and a brand new 2011 trophy.

Plans are already being made for the 2012 season and regular updates on confirmed events will be circulated when they become available.

SDGP

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12^th September 2011

The Disabled Golf Society would like to extend huge congratulations to those who have been selected to represent England (and Wales) at Slaley Hall on 7-9th October against Scotland. The team details are attached in a pdf file and below. Also our thanks to those who tried out at the qualifiers and were disappointed - there's always next year. We've got a great team who represent what DGS is all about, with regulars who have supported us throughout the year, with a range of disabilities and coverage around the country and I am hugely proud to have been asked to be the non-playing captain of the team.

The England team are:

• Stan Bembenek 27
• David Cooksley 23
• Paul Cunningham 20
• Keith Dolman 27
• Darren Grey 9
• Nicki Jones 18
• Maurice Lee 9
• Peter Morgan 24
• Brian Parsons 22
• Chris Smith 19
• Mark Smith 30
• Dave Standing 13
• Joseph Vanaman 8
• Mark Walters 19
• Dave Wilkinson 30
• Lorraine White 28

Details of the Scottish team just announced are:

• Mark Belcher 23
• Stevie Cunningham (Vice Captain) 31
• Jim Davidson 22
• Bob Drysdale 20
• Jim Gales (Captain) 30
• Gary Gardner 17
• Kevin Harmison 3
• Garry McNulty 21
• Davey More 23
• Bryan Neave 23
• Peter Osborne 14
• Kenny Raeburn 17
• Thomas Kerr Scott 12

The process of sending out press releases begins tomorrow, followed by tv and radio coverage where we can make these links so if anyone has any current contacts locally or ideas for promotion of the event please do get in touch. We will arrange to put the full press release onto the DGS website latest news tomorrow.

We have set up a twitter account specially for the media interest surrounding the event @rochapears which Sue will be maintaining, so feel free to follow us on twitter, equally I know a few have expressed interest in coming along to spectate or volunteered to help and all are welcome; there is no entrance fee to come along and show support. We're also working on putting player profiles onto facebook today/tomorrow and it would be great if you can follow the link from the top of the DGS website to the facebook site (and 'Like' the site if you are able). This is where we regularly publish photos from the events which have been all around the country this year and is your opportunity to give feedback and keep in touch with each other.

Kind regards
Graeme

Graeme Robertson
National Events Co-Ordinator
www.disabledgolfsociety.com

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9^th September 2011

 

It is with great Sadness I leave this message, a good friend of mine and SAAGA Don Bigler (Arizona) passed away earlier today.

I would like to offer mine and SAAGA's condolences, Don Bigler was a great individual and well respected around the world, he will be sadly missed by all.

A day at Grange Golf Club after the SA Open 2010

Left to Right ,Dave McNally Snr, Bob Wilson, Don Bigler, Gary Hart, Dave McNally Jnr. A great day had by all, Cheers Don

R.I.P Don

Gary Hart
President SAAGA

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8^th September 2011

SDGP Update

Hello

Just a few updates from the SDGP.

Carluke Golf Club members have challenged the SDGP to a Cup game on Thursday 15 September. This is a great value match for members at only £12 per person, for 18 holes of golf, roll/coffee on arrival and a meal after the golf. The event is also part of the SDGP's Order of Merit. The form is on the website and the contact details for the organiser are at the base of the letter.

The forms are also on the website for the Elmwood and Balbirnie competitions. These are also Challenge Cup games and part of the Order of Merit. Only 14 places are available for these games, so it is strictly first-come, first-served.

The 13 Team Scotland players and their coaches have been announced and they will travel to Slaley Hall in early October to play three days of traditional match play golf against the DGS English team. Thanks to some fantastic sponsorship Team Scotland are covered for their trip and we await news on team gear. This is a match which the SDGP has been attempting to generate for some number of years and thanks to the management of Slaley Hall we have finally made it!! We also have an SDGP sponsor for the "Auld Enemies Cup" which will be presented at Slaley.

The final SDGP match for 2011 will be at Tulliallan Golf Club in late October. Details as always will be posted on the website about a month before that date. A new trophy will be presented that day, along with the annual Order of Merit winners for the disabled members and coaching members. A Players and Coaches Championship will also take place that day.

Finally . . . . a gentle reminder to all 2010 trophy winners to clean and return all their trophies?

SDGP