Seniors test skills on the green
When 32 year old Adam Scott ended decades of near misses for Australians by winning the US Masters, he rekindled Queenslanders’ love and passion for the sport.
When 32 year old Adam Scott ended decades of near misses for Australians by winning the US Masters, he rekindled Queenslanders’ love and passion for the sport.
Mr Scott’s recent win for Australia motivated Tall Trees Tanah Merah seniors to bring more golf back into their lives to the point where they set up a putting green on their front lawn.
Resident Doug Gilmartin (pictured with Tall Trees cofounder, Phil Usher) instigated the idea of using the open grassy space out the front of their care community to put in a three hole putting green for residents to use at their leisure.
Mr Usher says with Mr Gilmartin’s hard work, residents have access to a green with three holes, flags and even a ‘Keep off the grass’ sign to give the finishing touch.
“Martin Headly from John Paul College also helped with the construction of the putting green as our relationship with the school continues to grow stronger,” Mr Usher says.
“As soon as the green was complete, residents were out getting into the swing of things again. There’s been such a buzz around it, I couldn’t help but join in myself one day.
“The putting green is being used by quite a few families as they come to visit and our residents’ grandchildren in particular are having a lot of fun having a putt,” he adds.
Mr Gilmartin even planned an official opening with a putting competition for the residents.
“While the residents got out onto the green as soon as it was complete in order to make the most of it, the residents had a competition last week to make things official,” Mr Usher says.
“A lot of our residents are passionate golfers; some have even won competitions and trophies in their younger years, so this new addition to the community has been very well received.”
He adds providing a number of facilities to encourage more social interaction and light hearted fun are extremely important for the health and wellbeing of seniors.
“There is an emerging body of research which links supportive social relationships and a sense of social connection,” Mr Usher says.
