On the Links

Exactly one year after he lost half of his right leg in a car accident local golfer Shawn Robertson is turning his misfortune into something positive. Later today (Monday) Shawn and his crew at The Quarry will launch details on a special day coming up in the fall.  

For Immediate Release:

We need to get the word out there!!! This is potentially important for certain people's morale - for their mood - for their future. The Inaugural Special Needs Golf Day on September 17, 2011 at The Quarry Golf Club will allow players to experience the 17th and 18th hole from the 100 yard markers through the green - regardless of how long it takes or how many shots it takes. This will be an introduction to the facility so that we might (eventually) get enough players to facilitate a shotgun tournament where proceeds will go directly to War Amps - the organization that subsidizes needy amputees. We will have a single rider cart for anyone with paralysis - the seat swivels and elevates so that the golfer can be raised to a position conducive to optimal impact. These will be available to rent for a seasonal fee and in my experience, medical coverage will assist - if not cover seasonal rental completely.

As an honorary member of the Kinsman Club, I am pleased to say we, the Kinsman will have many volunteers to help with the following unique challenges:

    •    Direct traffic from parking area (wave people in with signage, etc.)
    •    Assist those with special needs (i.e. wheelchairs, shuttle-cart-service for those with canes, etc.) - help them get from parking area to wherever things are happening (putting green, holes 17 & 18, etc.)
    •    We will assist with giveaways/prize presentations (anyone who gets the ball in the hole on the putting green - hole-in-one recognition - name on the radio, etc.)
    •    Ensure folks get back to their vehicles - shuttles, etc.
    •    Take promotional material to each of the retirement residences and offer the admin of each place an opportunity to call me and have me come make a presentation about how anyone can, at very least, putt; and be around peers with similar challenges/special needs

The golf day will serve as an opportunity to inform those with special needs in Peterborough that The Quarry Golf Club in Ennismore will be hosting a free weekly special needs golf day - participants can meet on the putting green and I will coach from a wheelchair. The Ownership, (Don McPherson, Darren Stalteri and Keith Rasmus) have agreed that wheelchairs are allowed on their greens. Carts with blue flags are allowed right beside putting greens and canes/crutches will also be allowed on Quarry greens. This is an exceptional opportunity to grow special needs golf by creating some momentum around the region.

August 1 - 4, as The Quarry's Amputee Instructor, Shawn Robertson will be competing in the National Amputee Open in Montreal put on by The Canadian Amputee Golf Association. The American counterpart, NAGA, has tremendous momentum and many people who otherwise would never have played again are active, happy, healthy people. We can do more of the same right here - in hopes that golf for those with special needs becomes increasingly prevalent.

The Quarry's vision is to provide a consistantly-helpful place where those who have a passion for golf, but are otherwise not able to participate for any number of reasons - any special needs (vision, hearing, prosthetics, wheelchairs - even those grieving the loss of a loved one who loved golf - anything goes) fall in love with golf (and its' social environment - this is 'KEY') all over again.

On Canada Day Weekend, The Quarry donated $5 from every green fee & cart package to Camp Maple Leaf in honour of Fallen Hero, Private Michael Freeman. The proceeds will be going to the upcoming Inaugural Private Michael Freeman Memorial Tournament being held at The Quarry Golf Club, Saturday, September 10th, 2010.

"In anticipation of the aforementioned events, on July 11 (the anniversary of a traffic accident that claimed a retired Canadian PGA Professional's right foot), members of the Canadian Forces from Trenton Air Force Base, professional golfers from as far away as Simcoe, the management & staff of The Quarry Golf Club and other lucky participants will cheer me on as I try to walk 18 holes for the first time since the crash. At 4 PM on Monday, we will embark upon on a journey of what I hope will be inspirational to anyone laid up, anyone who hasn't tried and or anyone who has been away from the game due to limited access and opportunity. The Kinsman and Quarry teams will hope to make people try - no - to ensure people succeed in enjoying a game that might be a passion for them (as it is for us) and that they may learn to take for granted (over time) with dedicated assisted participation opportunities".

For more information, please contact The Quarry Golf Club's GM, Darren Stalteri or Instructor, Shawn Robertson at 705.292.0019 or visit www.quarrygolf.ca