To really understand someone else’s perspective, as the old adage goes, ‘you must walk a mile in their shoes’.
On Thursday 4 May 2017, journalists experienced at first hand the challenges faced by disabled people living in an able-bodied world. They were made to appreciate the momentous obstacles that have to be surmounted in order to accomplish in sport when they were hosted to a Media Dare in the run-up to the Canon South Africa Disabled Golf Open.
Their first challenge was set out for them upon their arrival at the King David Mowbray Golf Course in Cape Town; to play three holes of golf as a disabled person. For the first hole, they had to play with their sense of hearing removed by block-out earplugs. This was followed by a hair-raising drive to the second hole with one arm bound up, where they had to play up to the green using only one leg, and then make their putt wearing a blindfold.
The last challenge involved driving to the third hole using only one leg, and then use only one arm to play down the fairway before once again putting blindfolded.
The event was hosted by Canon South Africa, proud sponsor of the 2017 Canon SA Disabled Golf Open, and the South African Disabled Golf Association (SADGA), which has organised the prestigious tournament for the last 19 years. This year’s event takes place at King David Mowbray Golf Club, Cape Town from the 15th to the 17th of May.
“Everyone enjoyed a tremendously spirited day on the golf course. Although the event was fun-filled, it had at its core the goal to showcase the tremendous amount of perseverance, sheer guts and determination required to achieve in sport when you have a disability. Our guests got to hypothetically ‘walk in the shoes’ of a disabled person for a few hours and appreciate the challenges they face,” says Reinard Schuhknecht, Brand Ambassador for the SADGA and widely considered one of South Africa’s best disabled golfers.
The 2017 Canon SA Disabled Golf Open promises an inspiring show of exceptional talent and courage as 83 of the world’s top golfers with disabilities compete for top accolades. This year’s field is one of the most diverse in the tournament’s 19 year history, with players from across the world, some as young as 13, competing.
Canon and SADGA also announced a photographic competition to run alongside the tournament, and keen photographers are invited to attend the event where they can capture moments to stand a chance of winning prizes from Canon South Africa. For professional photographers, there is a Canon EOS 80D camera and PRO100 printer to be won. Amateur photographers can place themselves in line to win a Canon PowerShot SX620 and TS8040 printer.
All photos – ten for professional photographers and five for amateurs – must feature a disabled golfer participating during the Canon SA Disabled Golf Open at King David Mowbray Golf Club from the 15th to the 17th of May.
Submissions will be judged by representatives from the City of Cape Town, SADGA’s Chairman of the Board, Canon SA and Carl Fourie (pro photographer). Winners will be announced the week after the tournament. Terms and Conditions apply. For more information, visit www.sadga.co.za
