Paralympic taekwondo gold medallist Matt Bush has become an ambassador for Wales Golf and will help encourage more people to Give Golf a Go.
The 37-year-old from Pembrokeshire, who has competed in several athletics events across the martial arts, took up taekwondo despite being born without a left hand or forearm.
He swings a golf club with his right hand, but has improved to be able to break 100 and feels excited by the opportunities available in the recently launched Wales Golf Inclusive High Performance Pathway.
Bush is also aiming to compete in the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics to defend the gold medal he won in Paris two years ago.
“When I thought about playing golf it was a conscious decision that I was going to figure out a way of playing, so I started hitting some balls and enjoying it.” he said. “I thought that if I could learn the basics, then by the time I retire from other sports then I could play, but the competitive attitude kicked in and I wanted to become as good as I could be as fast as I could.”
He adds: “It became something to do now rather than just for retirement, working out how I could swing the club to make consistent contact with the ball. I had six months of making contact consistently, and when I broke 100 I started thinking of the right clubs for me to get better. I am 6ft 6in tall, so I need long clubs and also I strike the ball a little further back in my stance, so the clubs have to be different. Wales Golf introduced me to PING, so I have been for a fitting to find clubs suitable for me and I want to push on. It is an example of how you can find ways to play and there is a lot of support.”
Bush started his golf journey before becoming a Wales Golf ambassador, but is looking forward to helping others gain the same benefits.
“Becoming an ambassador started when I was asked to go along to a Disability Sport Wales event to talk to people about getting into golf,” he explained. “I just talked to people about how I came to golf, encouraging them to give it a go. I think my passion for golf means wanting everyone to get into it and showing there is a way to play. I did not want people to think that they could not do it, golf is something where everyone can be included – there are plenty of resources to help people.
“Also, now Wales Golf have the Inclusive Golf Pathway, I like the idea of that. People need to know they can just play for fun and for the mental health benefits, but there is also the potential of the performance pathway there for them to be able to compete for their country.”
The attitude of finding a way is one that Bush has taken into his many athletic pursuits.
“When I was young I was told by my Dad that the world may not be built for me, so you have to think your way around it and find a way to do things rather than going through the motions,” he said. “Golf has a steep learning curve, like most sports. Some people see barriers for disabled people, but I want them to know that those barriers can be broken down. Spreading that message is why I wanted to be a Wales Golf Ambassador.”
Hannah McAllister, Wales Golf chief executive, said: “We know, and we are proud to admit, that golf is often a second sport in many peoples lives. When they can no longer compete or play the sport they’ve played for years, or fancy a change in direction, golf is often a sport people turn to, because it is a game for life – you can start at any age. We feel that working with Matt will help encourage more people to Give Golf a Go, through sharing his enjoyment of the sport, his journey, and his own genuine passion for the game.
“It is a timely appointment having just hosted The G4D Open in Wales for the first time earlier this year, securing £500k in funding from the Welsh Government and Sport Wales to make golf clubs more accessible in Wales, and also launching our very first High Performance Inclusive Pathway for golfers with disabilities. Matt is a great role model and the team are very excited to be working with him.”
Bush added: “I am aiming to qualify for the LA Paralympics in two years, it is a four year qualification process and it is tough fighting through injuries to get the qualification points. Just getting there is very competitive. You do not just get to turn up and represent Team GB, you have to be top six in the world or win one of the qualification events.”
To find out more about Wales Golf’s commitment to EDI, visit walesgolf.org/equity-diversity-and-inclusion