Picture Credit: PGA Australia
The second annual inclusive golf tournament at The Vines Golf and Country Club in Perth brought together 48 players of diverse abilities, building on the decade-old Ready Steady Golf program established by PGA Professional Mark Tibbles. The event welcomed participants with physical, psychological, and intellectual challenges alongside family members and volunteers.
Supported by the WA Golf Foundation since its inception, the Ready Steady Golf Program aims to create pathways beyond introductory sessions, helping participants transition to mainstream programs, social golf, and even club membership opportunities.
The tournament produced memorable achievements, including Joseph West’s third-place finish—a victory his father Peter says “he’ll dine out on for months” despite initial anxiety about participating. Similarly, Evan Lee proudly wore his participant medal to school the next day, showcasing the meaningful impact of the event.
Representatives from Special Olympics Australia, Variety Children’s Charity, Sport4All, and the WA Disabled Sports Association attended the tournament. Kendall King, Western Australia State Coordinator for Special Olympics Australia, praised the event for embodying “inclusion, unity and the power of sport to bring people together.”
“It serves as a powerful reminder of what’s possible when we take a strength-based approach by focusing on what athletes can do, not what they can’t,” King added.
