By Ramon Syyap

Therapeutic recreationist Mary Scarborough assists with a practice swing at The Docks Driving Range

“FORE!” exclaimed Bill as his club struck a bright orange dimpled ball. With a subtle grin, fellow patient, Gilbert, tracked the trajectory of their latest hit.

The two men were part of a larger group enrolled in Providence Healthcare’s golf transition program in August – a three-day program that combines golf with rehabilitation during the summer months. In its nine plus years, the program has been serving both outpatients and inpatients alike who were recovering from a stroke or amputation, with an overall goal of easing their transition from hospital to community.

Participants range from avid to individuals who have never touched a golf club. With this in mind, therapeutic recreationists at Providence use a progressive schedule to accommodate its newest players. The first sessions allow them to assess a patient’s ability and introduce them to the fundamentals of the game, with the program culminating in a trip to The Docks Driving Range in downtown Toronto.

“The ability to apply what they’ve learned from therapy in a real-world setting using a fun activity is a significant goal,” says therapeutic recreationist Mary Scarborough on the objectives for her group.

The program’s holistic approach to care has helped several individuals build their confidence and self-assurance as well as realize independence through sport. Not easily measured, but vital to recovery, is the added social benefit that participants gained by working through challenges and accomplishing goals in a group setting.

“It stimulates my body and my mind,” explained Bill who enlists the use of a walker to aid his mobility since his stroke.

Balance and movement are common concerns for those recovering from brain injuries or amputations. Equally daunting is the process of reintegrating into the community without purposeful activities and meaningful relationships to lean on. Although the treatment for each patient is different, the golf transition program brings much-needed elements of pleasure and socialization to therapy. It is also creating new fans of the game.

“I’ve never played golf before today,” explained Gilbert. “But I’ll have to come back here again with Bill when we’re done therapy. I’m very competitive,” he laughed.

Patients Gilbert (left) and Bill break in between swings