Meet the trailblazing Scottish golfer hunting glory in Tokyo

Growing up playing recreational golf on the south side of Glasgow, Robbie Bowie-Cameron had no idea where this game would take him.

It was always Robbie’s passion, but never could the 38-year-old civil servant have comprehended the possibility of chasing medals on the fairways across the other side of the globe.

That was until an email landed from Scottish Golf last winter, which changed everything.

Bowie-Cameron was informed that, ahead of this year’s Deaflympics in Tokyo, GB Deaf Golf would be hosting a qualifier at Castle Golf Club in Stafford for those hoping to compete.

After beginning to lose his hearing as a teenager and now being registered deaf, Bowie-Cameron decided to take a punt and make the trip down south.

The rest, of course, is history. Bowie-Cameron is the only Scot on the five-strong team heading to Tokyo and is now raising funds to support the trip of a lifetime in November.

We caught up with Robbie ahead of his Japan adventure…

Can you tell us a bit about your journey in the game?

My current handicap is 9. When I was a bit younger my family would make day trips to St Andrews and we would play the Himalayas putting green. I remember my first ever round of golf was playing the Balgove course in St Andrews. My best ever rounds are dictated by emotions and feelings. At Eastwood every year there was a junior week in the summer, 30 or 40 juniors, all great friends, and all going out playing Texas scrambles and shark shoot-outs. That’s what really made me love golf.

Last summer I had the pleasure of playing Royal Dornoch with some friends. It was a warm evening and we finished playing the 18th at around 10pm at night – that was incredible. I would love to play the Old Course one day, that’s still on my bucket list!

When did you develop deafness and how did it change your life?

I first started experiencing hearing loss at the age of 16. Initially I would compensate quite well by sitting nearer the front at school and uni. I can also lip-read. It isn’t something I set out to learn, I’ve just subconsciously picked it up as a coping mechanism.

Now I wear hearing aids and that’s really helpful. Hearing the sound of birds chirping in the trees is amazing. When I was younger I definitely struggled to accept my hearing loss. Now, I fully accept it and embrace it. And it’s at this point I’ve discovered that there is a lot of support and opportunities and it can become a real life positive. I would like to now start learning BSL (British Sign Language).

How did you realise disability golf was an option for you?

I received an email from Scottish Golf which advertised the qualifying event for the Deaflympics. There was an eligibility criteria and I checked with my audiologist to ensure I met the criteria. When I did, I put forward my application, in the hope of an invite to the qualifying event. It’s the first time I’ve ever entered a deaf golf event.

How transformative has disability and deaf golf been?

It’s been incredible. I’ve gone through a personal process of accepting my hearing loss and then going out and seeing what is out there. I absolutely love golf, it’s a true passion of mine and being able to meet and golf with other deaf golfers is a real privilege. And I’m now going to the Deaflympics! It’s a dream come true for anyone I think.

I would love to think that some younger children experiencing hearing loss or deafness might see this and look to take up golf, or continue their golf, and realise their dreams. In some circumstances, hearing loss can result in social isolation and loneliness and golf is a great way to combat that.

Huge congratulations on making the Team GB Deaflympics side. What qualifying process did you take to get in the team?

After submitting my written application to attend the qualifier I received an invite from GB Deaf Golf. The qualifier took place at the start of May at the Castle Course in Stafford, England. We played a practice round and then a qualifying round and I managed to finish in the top three to make the team. When I found out it was a mixture of shock and being thrilled. It took a while to sink in and then a lot of excitement.

How much are you looking forward to heading to Tokyo in November?

I’m absolutely thrilled about heading to Tokyo. I’m very proud to represent Great Britain and what a fantastic location to host the games. I have an incredible support network that is working with me and I need to say a huge thank you to my family and in particular my wife for her amazing support. My swing coach Andy Hutton and fitness coach Jordan Black are brilliant too. And I have fantastic support from my club Bearsden Golf Club.

You must be dreaming of bringing home a medal?

It’s a high quality field that will be at the Deaflympics from a variety of countries. I’m going to be working really hard on my game right up until I fly to Tokyo.

I’ll prepare as best I can and I’m not going just to make up the numbers!

Ben Parsons is the Senior Writer at bunkered and is the man to come to for all of the latest news, across both the professional and amateur games. Formerly of The Mirror and Press Association, he is a member at Halifax Golf Club and is a long-suffering fan of both Manchester United and the Wales rugby team.