Eight-year-old Oliver Britton from Rochdale struggles to access other sports because Perthes Disease means he cannot run or jump due to the risk of hip bone damage.
Luckily, he can play golf, and this is why he took up the sport, along with riding his bike and swimming.
Now, Oliver is so keen on the game that he applied to the England Golf Trust for a grant to help him pay for entry fees to the Link Golf Junior Tour.
Oliver played in the 6-8 age-group on the tour and said: “I did very well! Out of the 12 events I entered, I won six outright and then finished 5th or better in all the rest. I won the age-group section overall after 12 events and won a trophy and an Odyssey Golf putter!”
The talented young golfer started playing at the age of four with Trigolf sessions using plastic balls and clubs. He then moved into the Junior Golf Academy at Marland Golf Club.
Perthes Disease is a condition where the top of the thigh bone in the hip joint softens and breaks down. It means Oliver can’t play many sports but golf allows him to participate safely and play the game alongside other children.
“Oliver has seen a lot of sporting success in the last few years and has much to celebrate,” said his father, David. “Golf provides him with a sense of belonging and is good for his mental health.”
Oliver plays every Saturday morning at the Junior Golf Academy, also playing with his dad whenever possible. “Watching Oliver enjoy the sport so much, and playing alongside him as much as I can, has reignited the game for me, which has been a bonus. It’s a real joy that we can play the game together,” says dad David.
Oliver added: “It’s fun. I like it and it helps that I can play a lot better now than when I was five!
“My dream is to become a professional golfer but I know I’m going to need a lot of training, practise and hard work.
“I would love to play nine holes of golf and beat my record of 44 shots. I would also like to hit the ball a bit further off the tee than I can now, and to win more tournaments and play against better players.
“Thank you to the England Golf Trust for providing me with this grant to aid my progress.”
