Meet The Trustees

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.

Tony Jones

Secretary

Being part of the DGA has given me so much in terms of friendship, inspiration and motivation, I felt I had to give something back, and before I knew it I was organising the Trustee meetings as the National Secretary!

We all have something to offer, just don’t ask me for any putting tips.

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

Dave Walls

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.