The English Deaf Golf Association is delighted to announce that Tony Jacklin CBE the winner of two Major Golf Championships (Open Champion 1969, US Open Champion 1970 and the four times captain of Europe’s Ryder Cup team in 1983, 1985 1987 and 1989) has agreed to become its patron.
Following a meeting at the British Par 3 Championship at Nailcote Hall in August Tony agreed to take on the role as patron to help increase awareness and exposure of deaf and hearing impaired golf and encourage more people to take up the game that has made him a household name. On accepting the position Tony said, “It is vital that we work to promote the game to all members of the community and I am keen to see deaf golf get the profile, support and backing that it needs to develop effectively.”
He went on to say, “It amazes me that deaf golfers in this country are not supported on a par with their hearing counterparts, and I plan to give my full backing to the Association and hope to help them achieve their goal.”
Tony has been hearing impaired for over 25 years and wears a hearing aid device on both sides which has improved his golf. Sound is an important factor in Tony’s game so that he knows how well the golf ball has been struck.
Ben Stephens, Secretary of the English Deaf Golf Association said, “It is fantastic to have someone of Tony’s standing and reputation onboard. Deaf golf has, for too many years, been struggling to raise its profile and encourage more people into its events and activities. Now, with the additional support that we will receive from Tony and his team, we feel that we will be able to take things to the next level and increase our profile and reach.”
Tony Jacklin’s remarkable exploits and iconic brilliance revitalized British and European golf in the nineteen sixties and seventies. For four seasons – from 1969 to 1972 – there was no brighter star in golf’s haloed elite than Tony Jacklin. At the age of 25 he broke every performance record in the history of British golf winning the Open Championship at Royal Lytham in 1969 and US Open in 1970. Between 1983 and 1989 Tony captained the European team in the Ryder Cup four times transforming the role of the European team in the Ryder Cup to its current status.
English Deaf Golf Association www.englishdeafgolfassociation.com