We would love to share with you the story of a chap called Ken Powell. Some of you may have heard of Ken, but for those who haven’t, his story is one of the most inspirational you will ever hear.

Ken Powell is a member of North Foreland GC. Encouraged by his Dad, Ken started to play when he was 12 around Ramsgate, before attaining his first full handicap at 14. Ken played in teams for Kent Boys and Kent Youth, and aged 16, he travelled up to play in the British Boys’ Championship at Royal Liverpool in 1974.

In his career, Ken worked as a manager for a computer company before retiring 15 years ago.

One day, not long after turning 60, Ken developed a very sore back, and even walking the dog was proving difficult. A bulging disc needed treatment. Aged 62, Ken Powell’s life was altered dramatically in 2021 when he was left paralysed from the waist down following surgery in which he suffered a spinal stroke.

After first absorbing the shocking news from the doctors five years or so ago, Ken has been busy making the practical and philosophical changes needed to first leave the hospital and survive intact mentally, before finding the focus to make continued great progress, amazing those around him.

“I never thought I’d play golf again, and I didn’t want to play golf again. But then I learned about the paragolfer and it sort of rejuvenated my thinking,” says Ken. “I then had so much encouragement, this proved all-important.”

Remarkably, Ken had become a single-figure golfer again, with a handicap index of 9.5 no less, reducing from his first handicap when starting again of 27, in 2022. His secret? (Apart from all the guts and hard work, and the lessons from a PGA coach.) He replies: “Well, I have very well-educated hands, right from being a boy, the hands play such an important part in the game.”

“I like to go out there and try my best. If that’s not good enough, well, that’s not good enough. But it’s fantastic to get out on the golf course, it’s good for your wellbeing as well. I get great satisfaction going to bed at night and thinking about the round I played, it sends me off to ‘la-la land’ in a good state.”

“I’m sure a lot of people would like to know that if you’re paralysed, you can still go out and play golf, which is a tremendous asset in life. Whether you play onehanded or with two, you can still get so much out of this sport.”

Ken adds: “Golf has given me immense satisfaction and a feeling of achievement. Sometimes desperation, the high moments, low moments, just fantastic to actually get out there and play, especially with friends. It’s great. I will always keep trying. If you give up, well, you give up. But when you’ve got something to look forward to, going out on a lovely golf course, you want to keep going.”

Today, Ken is Kent Golf’s Disability Ambassador and began this important role for the county earlier this year. He is also an important member of England Golf’s Disability Team, who, only just as we go to press, competed at The European Team Championship for Golfers with Disability at Sant’Anna in Italy. The fantastic news to report is that Team England has won The European Nation’s Cup for Golfers with Disability and also the Team Championships for the first time ever.

Many congratulations to Team England and, of course, Ken.

If you yourself are feeling inspired after reading Ken’s story, you are very welcome to sign up for our Paragolfer Taster Day in Kent in September:

Kent Golf, in conjunction with The Golf Trust are hosting a Paragolfer Taster Day on Tuesday 15th September at Wildernesse Golf Club in Sevenoaks, Kent.

So if you have played golf but no longer can, OR if you have never played but fancy giving it a go, please register your interest using the link below, we would love to see you there. Ken himself will be on hand to advise and assist, and Kent Golf will also have fully qualified Paragolfer coaches on hand, very kindly arranged by The Golf Trust.

🗓️ Tuesday 15th September, 10am to 3pm
📍 Wildernesse Golf Club, Sevenoaks, Kent TN15 OJE