"Nothing is impossible"

Uniquely, Blackshaw plays with his left hand but as a right-handed golfer, channelling power through his left forearm.

“When I first started I played the other way, and first struggled to get the ball in the air. It was my coach who suggested I tried reversing it to gain more control and power, and as I have gotten older it has definitely helped,” Blackshaw said.

Blackshaw tries to hit the range three times a week, and goes to the gym the same amount to build and maintain muscle.

Years of dedication have paid off, and Blackshaw now has a formidable handicap of seven.

"It’s all about getting the reps in,” said Blackshaw.

“If you do the work in the gym and practice on the driving range then it doesn’t feel as different when you get out on the course.”

Johnny Reay was born with Apert Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder which can cause distinctive malformations of the skull, face, hands and feet.

When Reay was a teenager, he had numerous specialist operations at Great Ormond Street Hospital where they unfused his fingers, and carried out operations on his jaw and skull.

“I didn’t really have any other choice but to get into golf!” joked Reay, whose father; John Reay, played as a PGA professional and continues to work in the industry, owning a Golf Centre near Coventry.

“I would say I have been playing for 28 years and I absolutely love it.”

When he was 18, Reay’s father specially adapted a golf club, adding a piece of velcro which allows him to have a better grip on the club.

“This transformed my game and really allowed me to play at a much higher level,” stated Reay.

Since May 2022, the European Disabled Golf Association have sponsored the Johnny Reay Classic, in what is scheduled to be a yearly tournament at Stoneleigh Deer Park Golf Club, Reay's local club.

The Reay golfing dynasty continues to utilise their connections in the sport to help fundraise.

Having formed a close relationship with Great Ormond Street Hospital during Reay's childhood, the family hosted a charity open for the hospital, raising over £20,000.

Tom Beard was born with club foot, also known as bilateral talipes. When he was born, both his feet pointed down and inwards, with the sole of either foot facing backwards.

During his childhood he had to contend with over a dozen operations, and spent a lot of time at school being pushed in a wheelchair by his friends.

Unwilling to sit on the sidelines whilst peers played sport, Beard looked for a game that he could throw himself into.

“I got into golf through my dad, who encouraged me to take it up as I wasn’t able to play contact sports growing up,” Beard said.

His father designed special, smaller sized clubs which allowed Beard to take up the sport at the age of five.

Since then, Beard has never looked back, and has been a member of Druids Heath Golf Club for over 20 years.

Like Blackshaw and Reay, Beard has too adapted his golfing technique to overcome his disability.

“I swing a little differently to others, mainly around my restrictions in the feet- my ankle only has 10 degrees dorsi and plantar flexion, and zero medial and lateral ankle movement,” he said.

“However, being born like this, I have never known any different.

“I compensate with more knee and hip movement, rotating on the spot around my spine and setting up with my feet slightly outwards to let my hips move freely,” Beard explained.

1.2 in every thousand babies in the UK are born with club feet, and Beard hopes to act as a trailblazer for future golfers who share his condition.

In June, Blackshaw, Reay and Beard were proud participants of the England team in Belgium. Over the three-day tournament, they played foursomes, fourballs and singles.

“It really was a dream come true to represent England,” said Blackshaw.

As well as funding the team, England Golf also provided two team managers, a welfare manager, kit and balls.

Beard explained that the commitment provided by England Golf allowed the team to thrive on and off the course.

"The best thing by far was our team's camaraderie!" said Beard.

"Our team spirit was incredible, and to achieve what we have so far is amazing."

Reay echoed this sentiment: “We certainly all played together.”

It was the best week of my life, which I will never forget.”

For England, getting to Belgium was an achievement in itself, and expectations of a podium finish were played down. Yet, this group defied all the odds once again to finish second.

“We arrived with nothing but went home with medals,” said Reay.

Along with the players, England Golf were also enthused with the tournament and the investment they made in the team.

Jamie Blair, Diversity and Inclusion Manager at England Golf said: “This year’s championship gives us a great baseline from which to progress. The teams in both events won medals which was great to see. However, just as important was the mix of the teams.

“The teams featured three female and five male players, with a wide range of ages, and included players relatively new to the scene as well as those who have been playing in disability events since their inception.”

England Golf were able to invest in the disabled team thanks to long since sought after funding from Sport England, who have committed to work with England Golf to develop disabled golfers and allow them to showcase their talent.

Graphic credit: Jamie Welham