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Derbyshire’s Terry Kirby is about to make history as the first wheelchair golfer to become a club captain, certainly in England and probably worldwide.

Terry will take office at Tapton Park Golf Club, Chesterfield, in February, almost exactly 25 years after a tumour in his spinal cord cost him the use of his legs.

“Then, I was thinking that’s it, I’ll never play golf again and it was a total change in my life,” said the 63-year-old. “But 25 years later I’m captain of a golf club.

“I have never been treated any different from anyone else within the club. When I first started some people thought they had to give concessions but I soon put a stop to that! I’m just treated as any other golfer. That’s how I want it.

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“I rock up and have a laugh and a joke and get the mickey taken out of me, just like anyone else.”

But his story is both inspirational and highlights the work of the charity for wheelchairs golfers, the Handigolf Foundation, which he chairs.

Handigolf, which is supported by England Golf, not only organises competitions but hires buggies to wheelchair users who want to get back on the fairway, or take up golf.

Terry came across Handigolf when his physiotherapist spotted a flyer for a taster day. He went along and four weeks later was playing in his first disability competition. He returned the next year and won it.

Terry enjoys all aspects of the game, but particularly the competition. He’s held a handful of national disability titles and has been a European title runner-up.

“There are other wheelchair sports,” says Terry. “But I always say golf is a sport for life, once you are into it, that’s it.

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“To be perfectly honest, golf has really kept me going. It’s been the mainstay of my life over the last 25 years.”

He plays off a handicap of 26, saying: “Not bad for one arm and sitting down!”

Jamie Blair, England Golf Disability Manager, said: “Congratulations to Terry and best wishes for a fantastic year as captain. It has been great to work with Terry over the past five years and see his passion for the game.

“His captaincy will raise awareness of disability golf and the opportunities for people who previously played, but might have stopped due to injury or illness. Terry is proof that there is a way to adapt to make the game for all.”

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