Golf more accessible to senior golfers as a result of NHS funding grant

The popular sport of golf will be more accessible to senior golfers in the Western Isles, as a result of a £20,000 capital grant from NHS Western Isles, to purchase battery-powered golf trolleys.

Stornoway Golf Club recently applied for a capital grant to purchase 16 battery-powered golf trolleys and a storage container. Supporting the club to purchase this equipment will open new opportunities to develop membership and introduce the sport of golf to more people.

Stephen Moar from Stornoway Golf Club said: “Stornoway Golf Club has members from across Lewis and Harris, including visiting members for Uist, Barra and further afield. We believe that this initiative will significantly enhance the accessibility of golf for our elderly members, increase participation across all age groups, and contribute to the overall health and well-being of the local community.

“In recent years, we have seen a growing demand for more accessible options for our senior golfers, many of whom face physical challenges that make walking long distances or carrying golf bags increasingly difficult. We believe that providing battery-powered golf trolleys will remove this barrier and encourage more elderly individuals to continue participating in the sport.”

Battery-powered golf trolleys allow elderly golfers to enjoy the game without the physical strain of carrying heavy bags across the sometime challenging gradients of Stornoway Golf Course, whilst walking long distances.

This will not only improve their golfing experience but also ensure that they can play for longer periods, which is crucial for their social engagement and mental wellbeing.

NHS Western Isles Chief Executive, Gordon Jamieson, said: “Golf can promote up to four-hours walking activity per match. It improves cardiovascular health, flexibility, and balance. By making golf more accessible to more people through the use of trolleys, Stornoway Golf Club can encourage more elderly individuals to participate in regular physical activity, which is essential for maintaining mobility and improving overall health.”

He added: “We are delighted to have been able to support this health and wellbeing based initiative, which will undoubtedly improve accessibility to a popular sport and the associated physical activity, and will also support additional benefits including reducing isolation and loneliness and improving mental health.”

This funding was made available to NHS Western Isles as capital grant funding, separate to revenue and capital core funding allocations for patient care and NHS services/staff. NHS Western Isles understands how difficult the financial situation can be for the third sector and not for profit organisations and bids for Capital Grant funding from NHS Scotland to help support these groups.