In Australia , 44 PGA of Australia Members have completed the ISPS HANDA Blind and Disabled accreditation program delivered by the PGA Academy and Christian Hamilton . The two-day accreditation program is an essential strategy for improving engagement in the sport and creating opportunities for people who may not otherwise have the chance to participate .
“ Apart from their sponsorship of tournaments ISPS HANDA have made an enormous contribution to blind and disabled golfers the world over , and have done a huge amount to raise awareness of the plight of the disabled and blind when it comes to playing golf ,” ALPG Executive Director Lunn said about Dr Handa ’ s charity .
“ ISPS HANDA ' s support for golf stems from a firm belief in the " power of sport ” and we sincerely hope that Dr Handa ’ s mission and vision to have golf accepted as a Paralympic Sport can be achieved in the near future .”
Despite only discovering his love for golf at the age of 37 ( after trying his hand at windsurfing , skiing , running and mountain climbing ), Dr Handa , through his organisation , has done more for the sport than most . Last year when ISPS sponsored the World Cup of Golf , played at Kingston Heath Golf Club in Melbourne , for the second time , PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem took the opportunity to thank Dr Handa on behalf of the International Federation of PGA Tours .
“ We are delighted to welcome ISPS HANDA back as the title sponsor of the ISPS HANDA World Cup of Golf and greatly appreciate Dr . Handa ’ s continued support not only of this event , but golf around the world ,” Mr Finchem said .
“ The ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia and its players value integrity , the pursuit of excellence and a passion for golf , all traits shared by Dr Handa making him an ideal Patron to represent the Tour around the world .”
Recently appointed the new chief executive of the PGA of Australia , Gavin Kirkman echoed his predecessor ’ s sentiments .
“ Dr Handa is a passionate golfer and philanthropist . He has combined his two passions in the form of ISPS HANDA ; a global leader in the promotion of blind and disabled golf with the ultimate vision of golf ’ s inclusion in the Paralympics ,” Kirkman said .
“ To see his vision come to life , ISPS HANDA fosters partnerships with golf ’ s governing bodies . He is an amazing supporter of golf , both in this region and globally . As a partner of the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia and a number of tournaments on the schedule we are eternally grateful for his support and enjoy working with he and his team to assist in the promotion of blind and disabled golf ,” “ Dr Handa believes in the power of sport .”
Through his organization , Dr Handa has collaborated with almost every major golf tour globally , including the European Tour , European Senior Tour , Asian Tour , Legends Tour , LPGA , PGA Tour , Ladies European Tour , Japan PGA , Sunshine Tour , Golf Australia and the Australian PGA .
On behalf of the industry , Golf Industry Central would like to thank Dr Handa .
“ ISPS HANDA does wonderful charitable work around the world , so it aligns well with a tournament that has brought together many of the sport ’ s best international players since 1953 .”
According to Golf Industry Central ’ s Managing Director , Mike Orloff , " professional golf in Australia would be much more challenged than it is without his support ."
“ How fortunate are we as an industry to have Dr Handa ' s support- without that many of our big pro tournaments may be non existent !" he said .
Also announced last year was ISPS HANDA expanded involvement in international golf via a five year partnership with the PGA of Australia , which meant the organisation would remain naming partner of the PGA Tour of Australasia until 2021 .
According to former chief executive of the PGA of Australia Brian Thorburn , the PGA of Australia was delighted to announce Dr Handa as a Patron of the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia , in recognition of the work he had achieved for the promotion of golf on a global stage .
Photo credit : Asia Tour , ISPS
“ Dr Handa is an incredibly philanthropic man who has worked tirelessly in the promotion of golf and the power it has to unite all people . We are delighted to have a man of his calibre as our Patron ,” Mr Thorburn said .