This is a piece written by Jay about his trip to St Andrews last week
Last week saw the final ‘Grand Day Out’ at The Open, St Andrews. A brain child of Major (Rtd) Tim and Lesley Grantham, the GDO 2015 was the sixth event of its kind introducing Golf to the wounded, injured and sick of HM Armed Forces.
With high levels of support from the Royal and Ancient, The Open and the Military itself this event has brought together, since 2010, over one hundred injured personnel and al…lowed them to enjoy the sport, meet others in similar predicaments and be introduced to the great and the good from the golf industry and those well known within it. This fantastic initiative started in 2010 and saw myself and former Colour Sergeant Paul ‘Baz’ Barrett attending. This sparked our interest and passion for the game, gave us initially time to enjoy a break in clinical recovery, catch up with other injured comrades and partake in the banter of service life that can be lost when going through the recovery pathway.
This year was the final ‘GDO’, although slightly wet and windy, this did not hamper the efforts of all concerned and saw the eight injured serving and veteran personnel having the best of times including two brothers in arms from the United States Marine Corps. The group were introduced to many celebrities and sports hero’s and thoroughly enjoyed the company of former service personnel now working within the golf industry. Tim, Lesley and the team at ‘GDO’ have always supported the efforts of HorseBack UK. We thank them for all they have done over the past five years for the injured members of our communities and wish them all the very best for the future. Thank you for a Grand Day Out!