A United Amputee Golf Organisation

[Ren Gallet]

I''ll probably get my ear bashed over this one but i'll give it a go.
Firstly i'd like to say that as a forum there isn't a great deal of participation by a lot of people, which is a shame really and probably why i'm writing this post because i think they are related.
A big problem for golf tournaments on a regular basis in Australia is getting the numbers of Amps to the venues, especially if they are to be held as an Annual event.
I think that if we had one organisation and a representative from each state that wanted to participate,then each year we could have one open event run in alternate states. Funding would come from the main body and also the assistance of other state members in respect to sponsers etc.
I think there would be far better attendance by Amputees and they wouldn't feel pressured to attend too many in one year. It would also be more appealing as far as the cost goes.
I'm sure that the organisers of past events and current one's would also feel less pressured too if there was only one event that moved from state to state each year.
Now getting back to nagging you lot about participating.
Instead of just having a peak to see what other Amps are saying, why not add your own comments. LIVE DANGEROUSLY. Just say what you feel, good or bad.
Gazza's gone to enormous lengths to bring you this tournament and this web site at great cost and self sacrifice, so by participating in any way at all would show your appreciation to him and Eleanor.

GO ON AVA GO YA MUG!

REN

[Rennie D'Arcy]

Ren what a good idea
I was begining to wonder if i would be expected to play in each state.
Each state could still have their own tournament for their own state but only have 1 big tournament each year.

As to your other topic about getting involved in the forum and giving advice. There are so many amputee's who need advice it may be your information that helps them, thanks to you Ren and Ben for your advice and replys there are already 13 veiws on this topic and i am the only one with anything to say

[Ben Tullipan]

Hi Ren

Each state does have there own competitions and all amps are welcome to play in all comps and we do have only 1 big tournamet each year and this is the Australian Amputee Open you can download the entry form from here http://www.qaga.org.au/Events.htm it is on at The Federal Golf Club, Canberra, ACT 23rd March 2009 to 27th March 2009 we hope to see you there as it is one not to miss

[Ren Gallet]

Hey Ben and Rennie,
Thanks for your response, it's good to see some Amps are willing to participate.
Ben, I think you might have missed the point i was trying to make about a national body.
I know there is one because i was one of the original members but unfortunately i let that membership lapse because for my annual fee i dont think i even got a news letter, plus it didn't have state reps and still doesn't as far as i know.
What i was proposing was,
1)State reps like Gary, Mel, Steve,and Graham.
2)Instead of having state tounaments have one tournament a year in different states but funded by the main body and assisted by state reps.
3)Instead of paying fees to seperate organisations pay one set of fees.
At tournament time, paid up members pay lower entry fees than non members.
4)Assistence can be given to some members having to come from interstate.
5)Sponsors like Otto Bock and Osser are more likely to assist with one big event per annum than 3 or 4.
6)I think it would be far easier to attract overseas players if they were only attending one tournament rather than moving from state to state, and the expence of going to various tournaments in a year is out of most Amputees reach so there would be more players at the one venue.
This year i'm supporting Gary's event in south Aus and Mel's event in Vic but i wont be doing both next year.
I've been to 2 British Opens and have made a lot of friends over there and want to go back so i might be trying for that next year or the year after, depending on what go's here.
Unfortunately i have other commitments like Ice Hockey or Inline Hockey and at the moment i'm the only Amputee in Australia playing competatively. Skating is the hardest dicipline for an Amputee. It took me 2 day's to learn how to ski all the blue runs at falls creek on normal ski's and stocks so sking is pretty easy in my book.
Anyway Ben, are we going to see you at the South Aussie Open? I hope so, then we can continue this discussion there.

Take it easy you guy's.

REN

[GK]

Hi Ren
It's great to see your renewed interest in Amputee Golf! Iknow that Chappy will be extremely excited to hear the news!! (for others - this was an inside joke).

Just thought I'd give you my viewpoint re: a couple of your comments.

I agree with you - A big problem for golf tournaments is getting sufficient numbers of Amps to the events.
However rather than this being due to too many events being held too frequently, I feel that due to each of the events relying on the same few amputees to attend each and every event, it is not a matter of too many events, but too few people.

As you say attending all events can be cost prohibitive, not to mention the time needed to attend and whilst there exists a group of very supportive amputees who do attend all or at least most of the events, the events should not have to rely on this group for their success.

I feel, that the real problem lies with the overall lack of new amputees who have been introduced to amputee golf in recent years.
In other words I feel we have failed to effectively promote and recruit others to our cause.

Gary's example with the upcoming Sth Aust Open is a great example of what CAN be done when you have the desire and determination to succeed.
So why haven't we succeeded in continuing to grow elsewhere? The effect of our early growth should have been exponential, but this does not appear to be the case.

The current QAGA Board have recognised and are addressing this problem of "lack of growth".
Amongst other things we have started to build a greater understanding between our association and other Queensland amputee groups and bodies, in doing so we have received only positive responses to our endeavours and we know that these groups are now totally supportive of our aims. Of course this in turn will result in more amputees being made aware of what we have to offer and of course an increase in membership and participation in QAGA's events.
We have barely scratched the surface of what we can do, but we already have more financial members than ever before.

The point of mentioning this Ren, is that over time we intend to be self sufficient and independent of the need to solicit the same people all the time (of course this does not mean that we would not enjoy having them continue to support us), so that we can expect differant people to support our differant events in sufficient numbers to make each and every event a success.

This self sufficiency, is something that I feel all state associations should strive to achieve, so that in time participants at each of the individual state annual events are mostly the members of that state association.

Greater numbers mean greater support and attendence.
Perhaps that should be the main aim of a National body - to help foster the growth of each and every State amputee golf association.

There are heaps of amputees out there just waiting for us and of course more are "made" every day. We have a lot more to offer to these people than golf, golf is simply the medium of our assistance and we should be doing more, not less, to provide them with the opportunities to get back into life through amputee golf.

Given that each and every state were to be successful at achieving self sufficiency, our national event would then be even more popular than it is now, as is the case in the U.S.A., Canada and of course the U.K. as you, I and others already know.
Instead of a "reductionist" policy - lets get this thing to explode and spread amputee golf Australia wide!

As always it's a pleasure talking to you Ren and I hope to have the opportunityto discuss things more after I win a beer or two off you in Adelaide. Til then Best Regards and Wishes
GK.

[Gazza]

Great comments GK. I've always said we have needed to work hard in our individual states to encourage new Amputees out, I found by going to rehab centers and talking and supporting really does help, a bit of media work helps along with things also, we need good communication with Prosthetic centers and Prosthetists, it takes a lot of time and effort, but at the end of the day, it's all worth it. That's when we'll see the numbers improve with new Amputees.

Keep up the good work lads.

[Shane]

I have some questions regarding the term "National Body".
What is a national body made up of?
Would it be classed as an assocaition or an organisation?
What are the responsibilities and duties of the national body?
Do you think the National body can be registered as non-profit?

My thoughts are having a Non-profit organisation that can assist National and interstate events is the way to go. Setting up the organisation is what I would like to know (how)? Until we have funds we are always going to have issues with numbers etc... I think we need a solid non-profit foundation that will set standards and that will lead new amputees back into life through playing golf.

It seems it would be a huge task though? What are your thoughts and replys?

Cheers
Shane

[Gazza]

Hello everybody,

Hope you all had a great Christmas, and the New Year is looking good. This question of an Australian Amputee Golf Association has been asked on numerous occasions.

What would be nice, if you Amps / Odd bods would give some insight to what you actually want ? we know the SA Open was a success for different reasons, but please can you all get involved in adding your points of view, it would be appreciated, my goal is to try and provide a golf tournament and golfing clinics for everyone.

This means partners also, as I've said before, we are part of a special family ? so please can we support each other and give some input. Nothing is too hard. You set the standards, and I promise, I will deliver.

Kind regards
Gary

[Ren Gallet]

Hello, it's me again,
seems like it's always the same people that participate in these forums and a lot of onlookers who are not prepared to make a valuable contribution or comment.
Anyway, i've had my bitch.
Having read and listened to a lot of stuff about a national body i have come to the conclusion that it probably isn't needed or a good idea after all.
After seeing the success of the South Australian Open and the Victorian Open i can only see both events getting stronger and stronger. Both events are focused only on bringing Amputees and other people with disabilities together to have fun and share some quality time with each other and raise some human competitive spirit as well.
I managed to meet some new people at these events and to see the smiles on their faces during good or bad shots was magic. We did'nt care about the golf to much, we were just out there sharing it with someone.
Australia doesn't really have the numbers to run a national body and the extra costs involved are probably unnecessary.
The South Australian could probably call their event the "Australian Open" one year and hold it at an exclusive club to attract overseas visitors and the Victorians could do the same another year.
Ultimately its about getting the Amps together every now and then and golf is such a great leveller with its handicap system.
And it's amazing how much pleasure we can get from such a simple game.
I'm sure, when i walk onto a course in shorts where i'm not knowen, the group behind are thinking "god how long's this game going to be" but with you lot nobody cares and i'm more comfortable with that .

Take it easy fellow Amps, and i hope the golfing gods are kinder to you than they are to me.

REN .

[Shane]

Hi Ren,

I sense some frustration in your response and I feel you.

Although, I still believe there is a need for a National body. If we make the national body a non profit organisation, which should help greatly to gain moneys, we will than have more opportunity to grow amputee golf aournd the nation. I have some ideas on fund raising.

I like to think the national body should encourage amputee golf clincs Australia wide within each state and support the clinic financially. The National body could setup an association with the PGA to run the clinics say quarterly in each state.
Also coincide with existing clincs in some states such as SA, VIC (running soon) and I think QLD are running clinics.

It has been mentioned before, grow the clinincs and we will grow the numbers. I think this to be very true!

The larger the event and the more new poeple we can encourage to the game the greater time we will all have. I love seeing new faces when turning up for an event. You can notice the change in the people by the end of the tournament. It changes the outlook on life. These events give us all so much more than we realise and effects people in different ways.

I think a National body is very important. We would still definatley enjoy the events anyway as you mentioned Ren, I'm sure

Oh, are there golfing gods? I want one for me!

[David Hendren]

G'day everyone...this is my inaugural entry into the debate so I am no longer an amputee golfing blogging virgin.
I have always approached the various tournaments as a way of meeting new amps and their spouses and partners, having a good time and if the golf goes well then that is a bonus.
Despite this I do think that we need some sort of central controlling body to co-ordinate not only with the various states but also to liaise with other bodies and organisations which can be of benefit to amputee golf. This committee should be responsible for sponsorships for the Australian Open which should be our premier event and should also investigate a way to move amputee golf under the umbrella of Golf Australia with assistance from the PGA.
Perhaps we, as individuals, could also contact hospitals and rehab centres in our local areas as Gary Hart and Melissa with Limbs 4 Life have done and volunteer to attend when they have new amps not only to spread the word but to also give encouragement and guidance to them as to their options particularly as regards the selection of limb makers. My first contact with other amputees was some 25 years after my accident when I attended my first Aus Open in Tweed Heads and it was a revelation.
Anyway I could go on for hours but we need to sit down as a group and have discussions about the formation of a national body and the best time would be during the Aus Open in Canberra this year so i hope to see as many amputee golfers as possible there so we can get something started....we need to get the ball rolling now!
Good golfing to everyone and keep smiling because thats one of the few things we can control....regards David

[Gazza]

Hi Dave,

So good you eventually got on board, at the moment there's emails flying around between the so called mentors or people running golf associations in Australia.

The question been asked ? should limbs 4 life be included in this so called Association that we are trying to get up and running for Amputee's, I've had a survey going on this web site for Amputee's to voice there opinions, I will at some stage release the findings of the above mentioned, why ? because it's what the Amputee's want.

It doesnt matter what the so called protector Say's about Amputee Golf or what they think is required !!!!!!

It is simple, let's do and act on behalf of the Amputee's first. They are the voice.

Gary Hart

Gob for Amputee's.

[alfie]

It seems as though it has gone all quite on the Australian Amputee Golf Association front Dave, I'm sure there will be a few discussions on the matter, I would suggest that the Amputee's get together and let the mentor's or the protector's know what they require. Whilst you are all in Canberra

Enjoy the Open, but mainly enjoy the camaraderie. Everything else will fall into place.

Later's, let's not get into a flap

[Ren Gallet]

Some of the responses i've seen relating to this subject, and not necessarily on this forum, have not been very helpfull to anybody especially to Amputees.
It's become a very political issue and has revolved around some sour ego's. As a result i'll be more than happy not to get involved in any of it.
I will be fully supportive of the South Australian Open and Victorian Open and the clinics being set up by Gary Hart and also the clinics being organised by Mellissa Noonan of Limbs 4 Life.
I have found both these organisation have, not only Amputees best interest at heart, but other people with disabilities also. There's no discrimination to deal with or ego's or in-fighting, just people enjoing each others company and having a good time.
I'm not the only Amputee or person with a disability who feels this way unfortunately so hopefully, for everybody's sake, things will get sorted out.
I feel Peer support for new or not so new amputees and thier families is more important than golf. Holding golf tournaments are just another means to expand on that peer support by getting people with disabilities together, asking each other questions only we can answer or understand and feeling comfortable with our disability.
Lifes too short,
Take it easy,

REN.