First of its kind golf wheelchair for the Okanagan

KELOWNA – From rugby to basketball, there are a number of sports that are now played by people in wheelchairs. But one sport that’s new to people with mobility issues is golf. Now a new wheelchair called the “paragolfer” is allowing Okanagan residents to swing clubs.

“I feel empowered,” says Anand Kannan.

The 52-year-old West Kelowna man was involved in an ATV accident seven years ago that left him paralyzed from the waist down. Among other things, Kannan lost his lifelong passion: golf. But now, after eight years of not golfing, he’s back on the links.

“I don’t think there are words to describe it. It is a deep emotion because it wasn’t just about the golf, it was about the camaraderie, the companionship, being out with people,” says Kannan.

The “paragolfer” is a wheelchair that has an elevating mechanism allowing people with spinal injuries, like Kannan, to be upright. At a cost of about $30,000, the chair isn’t cheap. Right now, the chair is in the Okanagan on loan but an upcoming golf charity tournament hopes to change that. The not-for-profit group “Stand Up and Play B.C.” is hoping to buy the chair so that disabled people in the community can borrow the chair and play golf.

“Without the chair, the focus is on their disability,” says organizer Debbie Waitkus. “Once they are in that chair, they are on the golf course, there is no more disability. All it is is ability, and the abled golfers and disabled golfers, all they share is one handicap and that’s a golf handicap.”

More spots need to be filled at the golf tournament to raise the necessary money to buy the chair. If you would like more information or if you would like to purchase tickets, you can contact Kelowna Springs Golf Club or call Debbie at 250-868-8101.