Barriers fall as inaugural Pro-Am shines for all-abilities golfers
Jessie, Mark Bray and team with GPAI athletes at the Pro Am.
GPAI president Darrell Dalton says the inaugural Holey Moley Charity Pro-Am has set a new benchmark for inclusive golf, describing the event as a powerful step forward in breaking down barriers between professional golfers and people living with intellectual disability.
Held at Glenview Par 3 Golf Course, the day ended with fading light and a tense finish as several final groups chased the $20,000 Preferred Plaster hole-in-one prize. No one claimed the cash, but Mr Dalton said the real story lay beyond the scoreboard.
He said the overwhelmingly positive feedback from PGA professionals, amateur teams, sponsors, GPAI all-abilities athletes and volunteers confirmed the value of the event.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity for our charity and our people to watch the professionals play, build on that relationship with the PGA of Australia, and put on more fundraising events like this,” Mr Dalton said.
“It’s breaking down those barriers, since a lot of golfers and people may not have interacted with someone with an intellectual disability before. I think today’s breaking down those barriers, and it’s been fantastic.”
Mr Dalton said he was especially proud of the GPAI athletes, whose performances and spirit impressed everyone involved.
“The Charity Pro-Am is showcasing the talents of our GPAI athletes, who are people living with an intellectual disability and who love our game of golf,” he said.
“They have exceeded all expectations from our organisation and their families. They’ve done a great job.”
He also paid tribute to the volunteers, community instructors and Glenview Par 3 staff who helped bring the event to life.
“It’s not just the athletes who have participated in this event. It’s all our volunteers who have jumped on board, as well as our community instructors who are out there on the course, on the barbecue and wherever else they are needed. They’ve teamed up with our athletes and just get the job done.”
Mr Dalton said Glenview professional Wade Hooper and his team had transformed the course for tournament play.
“You couldn’t recognise the course from six months ago to what it is today,” he said. “They’ve just done a wonderful job.”
