Meet The Team
Welcome to the heart of our organisation, the DGA – a Registered Charity committed to upholding the esteemed principles set forth by The Charities Commission. Our dedication to transparency, disclosure, and ethical conduct forms the cornerstone of our mission. At the helm of this commitment is our Board of Trustees, individuals who passionately volunteer their expertise to ensure the steadfast enforcement of these principles.
We invite you to engage with us as we strive for excellence in our endeavours and foster meaningful interactions within our community.
Neil Baird
Chairman
I joined the DGA as soon as we were allowed to play golf again after Covid. I immediately loved being part of this group and as I live in Peterborough, I was conveniently situated to attend the North and South events.
I was asked early on to consider being a trustee and after the first year, I agreed to have my name put forward. After a year as Trustee, I was asked to agree to my name being put forward to replace our long standing Chairman Stan Bembernek, who had decided to retire as a trustee after many years of great service.
I am honoured to have been asked to be chairman of this wonderful Charity, which fulfils so many areas of my life. I have met some incredible people, made a lot of friends, and cannot wait for the season to start as we try and play some very good golf courses.
To watch some of our members tackle their disabilities in a positive way, not allowing their disabilities to stop them getting out in the fresh air and as we live in the UK, play in the rain, is truly inspiring.
This charity has given me so much back, and I would encourage any one of you to get involved as either a member or a supporter
Lesley Bain
Vice Chair
I’ve been a member of the DGA since 2012 when I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.
The DGA got me through some tough times and I feel privileged to be part of this great family.
I’m now in my second term as a trustee and honoured to serve as vice chair.
I’ve met some great people over the years with varying disabilities and they are now my friends.
Golf is a great sport where low and high handicappers play together on a level playing field.
Dave Walls
Interim Secretary
Having Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) with very little peripheral vision I lost my confidence and competitive edge in mainstream golf. I found out about the DGA in 2013 and now entering my 11th year, and have never looked back, and that’s literally.
I became a trustee to give back a little of what it has given to me, while inspiring others like me.
John Riordan
Treasurer
I joined the association in 2011 after hearing about it from a friend. After attending a few events and meeting the people and players I began what will hopefully be a remaining lifetime involvement with such an uplifting and inspirational organisation. So much so that I now immersed myself into helping out as a trustee and any other roles I am able to accomplish in the running of the charity.
Putting a little something back into what has become my golfing passion.
David Graham Kirkham
England Captain
I wanted to be a trustee to help with the running and decision making of the DGA and to help in its future development.
It’s an honour and privilege to be England Captain 2024.
Graeme Robertson
Honorary/founder
DGA has given me the opportunity to play golf again after diagnosis of Primary Progressive MS.
I founded DGA so golfers with all disabilities/abilities can enjoy what golf has to offer – exercise, fresh air, camaraderie and competition.
Alan Baker
South Captain
Since joining the DGA I’ve made new friends which I regard as family. Being a left leg amptee and damage to my right leg it helps me mentally and physically just being in the fresh air.
It’s an honour to be South Captain and Trustee and improve the scope of the DGA
Anthony Roberts
North Captain
DGA offers a secure space for me to heal from Chronic Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), with cognitive processing challenges, while nerve pain affects mobility and movement due to Functional Neurological Disorder (FND).
As a Trustee, North Captain and Website Designer, it is an honor to shape positive experiences amid our health challenges for this organisation.
Jane White
DGA has helped boost my confidence, despite being profoundly deaf and using hearing aids, which can make communication challenging. Being with people who don’t judge me for my disability makes a significant difference. I take pride in serving as a trustee, collaborating to make informed decisions to see happy golfers inspiring each other.
Alan Orchard
As a long-serving member of the DGA with multiple disabilities, I decided to become a trustee to give a little back of the good times it has given me and to try to better it for all of us including members still to come