NORTH Wales deaf golf team are now champions after beating their South Wales rivals in a hotly contested battle at the weekend.
The competition was played at Beaumaris where Conwy members David Duller and Steven Williams, 48, of Old Colwyn took part in the match which was won by North Wales who scored 111 points to South Wales’ 104.
David, who is lecturer at Coleg Llandrillo teaching British Sign Language and deaf studies, lives with his wife Fiona and his three daughters Emily, Lucy and Ruby in Rhos-on-Sea and has been a member of Rhos-on-Sea Golf Club for six years.
David, 47, is welcoming new deaf players to Conwy Coastal Deaf Golf Society and explained what he gets out of the sport.
“The course was amazing to play on and we were lucky to have such nice weather.
“I have always been into sport but I felt too old to continue playing football and cricket. Golf is the perfect activity for me. It felt absolutely brilliant to win the cup this year and we hope to retain it next year too,” he said.
“If we are playing golf together we don’t have a language barrier as we are all using British Sign Language. It is a great way of getting out and mixing a social activity with a healthy activity.”
David explained the club is now looking for new deaf players of all abilities to join the Conwy Coastal Deaf Golf Society, and better players could find themselves selected for the Welsh team for next year’s big competition.
“Next year we are playing the four nations in South Wales with England and Scotland, so we are looking for some good players,” he said.
“But are also welcoming players who are not so confident. Whatever ability they have if they want to join and play golf they can.
“It has been such a year for sport with the Olympics and then the Paralympics and there is also a World Deaf Golf Federation, it is a growing sport.
“One in seven people in the UK have hearing loss, although the majority of that figure is the older population who have lost some hearing so there are a lot of potential golf players out there.
“We have activities every month and we have charity events and meet up regularly.”
Anyone interested in joining the Conwy Coastal Deaf Golf Society should email
conwycoastaldearsociety@gmail.com
