Taylor inspires disabled and Muslim non-golfers to take up the game

01/07/2023

Mark Taylor helped children and adults with a disability and volunteer leaders from the Muslim Golf Association to take up golf during British Masters week.

In his role as Head of Instruction and Education for EDGA (European Disabled Golf Association), Taylor led a series of sessions at The Belfry where he introduced 22 individuals to the game.

The new golfers had a range of impairments, including physical, sensory, and intellectual, and were introduced to EDGA’s ‘D3’ first-touch format using safe, light, colourful, adapted GolfWay chippers and putters with soft balls, that can be used in non-golf venues, from schools and hospitals to faith and cultural centres.

This D3 programme was also introduced to nine volunteer community leaders from the Muslim Golf Association (MGA). They in turn can now deliver sampler sessions in their community and EDGA will provide further support and education refreshers to MGA volunteer coaches in the future.

The sessions were part of EDGA’s work to encourage 500,000 new players with a disability into the game.

“These sessions underline the value of creating outreach opportunities inside communities,” said Taylor. “It was a privilege to work with the team at the Muslim Golf Association.

“Well thought-out community delivery like this can spread a powerful message about the health benefits of golf for people with disabilities. If links can then be made to local golf facilities where new participants can continue with their journey in the game, that is the ideal for all of us. We hope to help make this happen.”

Participants for the sessions included GB&I Paralympic rugby player Muhammed Islam, while newly registered EDGA player Mohmed Mukhtar Adam was delighted to receive a putting lesson from World Ranked Number One G4D Tour player Kipp Popert.

Popert then went on to win the G4D Tour event at The Belfry, where 10 of the leading World Ranked golfers with disability were teeing it up on the same course and in the same week as the household names in professional golf on the DP World Tour.

Amir Malik, Founder of the MGA, added: “Mark Taylor is an innovative coach who helped us to experience a little of how it would be to play the game: not being able to see for example, or playing off one leg, or balance impaired, or from a chair.

“He created a feeling of empathy for those with an impairment who we wish to introduce to the game. The Muslim Golf Association wants to make golf a far more inclusive sport and Muslims with a disability, like in all cultures, are too often at a disadvantage. Working with EDGA and the DP World Tour can help us to bring positive change.”

CLICK HERE to find out more about EDGA.

CLICK HERE to find out more about the Muslim Golf Association.