Hyden ready to tee off in Victorian Inclusive Open

Peter Hyden tees off. Photo: RIVERINE HERALD

THE Victorian Inclusive Open with one of the competitors Peter Hyden viewing it as a great opportunity to promote golf for people with a disability.

Hyden has played in the Pro-Am at the Victorian Open the previous two years, both which were played at 13th Beach. But this year will mark the first time the Victorian Inclusive Championships in the same week as the Victorian Open.

Hyden says this could help it get more attention.

“It’s a good thing because the media will be there and other people will be there, so we can demonstrate to the world that yes, we might have disabilities, but we can still get out and do things.”

Late last year Hyden took part in GenU Stand Up and Play Charity Golf Days that was held at The Sands in Torquay and Barwon Heads Gold Club, the latter of which will host the Inclusive Championships along with 13th Beach Golf Course.

The event raised $75,000 for the purchase of two ParaGolfer wheelchairs.

Hyden is a wheelchair user and says the ParaGolfers can serve a range of purposes.

“It enables me to get out and play sport. I also use it to mow my lawn, take the dog for a walk. It’s got multiple uses apart from golf.”

Hyden says playing golf has been fantastic for his wellbeing.

“It’s huge. It gets you and just stimulates you. Because you are mixing with normal people and just doing a normal thing. I just play golf sitting down, that’s the only difference.”

The Victorian Open will run on February 3-4.

People can enter at golf.org.au/eventscalendar/#/competition/2226735/info.