Mannings Lends A Helping Hand

Mannings Heath Golf and Wine Estate have joined with local special needs charity Warren Clark Golfing Dreams to provide golf experiences for people with learning and physical disabilities. Weekly classes are held at the club and led by the club’s professional coaching staff, working with the charity founders Warren Clark and Dawn Osborn.

As a young man living with autism, Warren is well placed to understand the complex requirements of those with special needs. He has represented Great Britain at the Special Olympics and is an ambassador for England Golf and the Golf Foundation. 

Simon Mantell, club general manager, said “We are delighted to have Warren working with us as an ambassador to our golf and wine estate - and we are determined to help him in his journey to become a professional golfer.  

“Our aim is to make golf accessible to all and we are in the process of applying for ‘disability-friendly’ status. We are now looking to engage with other local SEN centres for coaching. This fits well with the other specialist coaching programmes we provide for juniors, ladies, beginners and established golfers”. 

Warren Clark and Mannings Golf and Wine Estate were recently featured on the BBC South Today programme. Warren said: - 

“I've always struggled with my concentration. I did not enjoy school at all until I found golf. I would like to give as many disabled people as possible a chance and make disabled golf a number one sport.” 

“It’s more inclusive than normal golf. So, for people with learning and intellectual disabilities, it's more accessible for them and then they can develop into playing mainstream golf,” said Dawn Osborn. 

Warren is a qualified golf coach with EGTF (European Golf Teachers Federation), PGA (Professional Golfers Association) level one, PGA level one and two Inclusive and has undertaken intensive training in S.N.A.G, Tri and Street Golf. Warren loves to share his passion with others, introducing golf to a wide range of disadvantaged people.