Media
Release
2 December
2009
British Flying
Ace to be Honoured at Amputees Golf Day in Australia
as part of UN
International Day of the
Disabled
The inspirational exploits of
British Flying Ace Douglas Bader, who lost both legs in
air crash on 14 December 1931 and who fought
bureaucracy to rejoin the RAF as a fighter pilot in
1939, will be celebrated on the eve of the United
Nations International Day of the Disabled on 2 December
2009.
The celebration will take place in
Melbourne at a special golf day for amputees at
Sandhurst Club, south east of Melbourne, which has
developed special golf clinics for
amputees.
Douglas Bader Amputee Golfer in Full Swing
A keen golfer Bader continued to play after
losing his legs and his life story became
internationally known through the 1954 film "Reach for
the Sky" where his character was played by British actor
Kenneth Moore.
Ron Smith, a spokesman from
Sandhurst, said
a historic tiger moth will make
three passes over the first fairway and Clubhouse at
12.00 noon in honour of Douglas Bader before the start
of the Sandhurst Red Gum Classic with amputee
golfers.
Melissa Noonan, Executive
Officer of Limbs 4 Life said the memories of the
exploits of Douglas Bader, who passed away in September
1982, will be an inspiration to everyone with a
disability and those who are playing on the day.
A special Douglas Bader Cup will be
awarded on the day to the nearest to the pin golfer.
"There are over 200,000 amputees
across Australia and Limbs 4 Life is moving to expand an
amputee golf clinic program established by Sandhurst
Golf Professional Christian Hamilton with the support of
the PGA Learning Centre."
Ms Noonan said the purpose of these
clinics is to provide amputees with the tools required
to become involved with golf and have the confidence to
participate.
"The benefits of the amputee
golf clinics are twofold; firstly golf is a wonderful
sport for people living with a physical disability, more
so amputees; as it enhances and challenges balance,
assists with flexibility and aids core stability while
promoting general well being."
Melissa Noonan, Executive Officer, Limbs 4 Life
hitting off under the watchful eye of Sandhurst Pro
Christian Hamilton, responsible for developing the
Amputee Golf Clinics. The Sandhurst Red Gum
Classic will be staged on Wednesday 2 December 2009 on
the eve of the International Day for the Disabled at
Sandhurst Club. For details visit
www.limbs4life.com
Media Enquiries:
Melissa Noonan Limbs4Life Mobile: 0402 036 735
Ron
Smith Sandhurst Club (03) 9818 5700 Mobile: 0417
329
201
