Deaf Golfers To Make Mark On World Stage

For three golfers from Yorkshire, the journey to Sweden is about far more than competing for trophies. It is about ambition, community and showing what deaf athletes can achieve.

Brian Robinson, Charlotte Dixon and Donna Serridge-Cross are among England’s 24-player squad travelling to the World Deaf Golf Championships in Sweden. Their stories highlight the determination and passion behind a sport that is creating new opportunities for deaf golfers.

Age is no barrier to ambition

At 68, Brian Robinson might be one of the older members of the England squad, but he has no intention of letting age stand in the way of his ambitions.

The Normanton Golf Club player describes representing England as a dream come true. With a touch of humour, he jokes that he may be like a “grandad” compared with some of his teammates, but he is looking forward to meeting other golfers and being part of the international deaf golfing community.

His message is particularly powerful: dreams do not have an expiry date.

When the course goes completely silent

For deaf golfers, competing at an international level can bring a unique set of challenges.

Players at the championships must meet specific hearing-loss requirements, and hearing aids and external cochlear implant equipment have to be removed during play.

For Donna Serridge-Cross, who uses British Sign Language as her first language, that can transform the experience of being on the course.

Without her hearing aid, familiar sounds disappear — including the strike of the club, the movement of the wind and warnings such as someone shouting “fore”.

Yet Serridge-Cross is no newcomer to the international stage. This will be her sixth World Deaf Golf Championships, and she describes the event as a welcoming and supportive community.

That sense of belonging is just as important as the competition itself.

A new chapter for Charlotte Dixon

For Charlotte Dixon, the championships represent a new chapter.

The Leeds golfer has more than 30 years of experience in the sport, having started playing as a junior at Sand Moor Golf Club. However, she only discovered deaf golf more recently after attending the Open Championship at Moor Allerton.

Now, she is preparing to represent England for the first time at the event.

Dixon also highlights an important aspect of deaf sport: finding a community where communication feels natural.

For someone accustomed to navigating a predominantly hearing world, joining a deaf sporting environment can initially feel daunting. But golf can provide a shared space where players can communicate, compete and build friendships.

More than a golf tournament

The World Deaf Golf Championships are about competition, but their significance goes beyond the leaderboard.

Players communicate in different ways, including through sign language, speech and lip reading. Even sign languages vary from country to country, but Robinson is confident that differences will not prevent players from connecting.

That spirit of adaptability reflects what makes sport so powerful. The game creates a common language — one based on skill, teamwork, competition and shared enthusiasm.

For England Deaf Golf, the championships are described as the pinnacle of international deaf golf. The organisation hopes the players will not only compete successfully but also challenge assumptions about deaf athletes.

Changing perceptions, inspiring the next generation

Perhaps the biggest impact of the England squad will be felt beyond Sweden.

When young deaf golfers see athletes from their own communities competing internationally, it can make previously distant ambitions seem possible.

The message from this Yorkshire trio is clear: whether you are 68 and fulfilling a long-held dream, 41 and preparing for another international championship, or 43 and embarking on your first major deaf golfing event, there is always room to pursue something new.

Their journey is a reminder that accessibility in sport is not simply about removing barriers. It is also about creating communities where people feel welcome, supported and able to reach their potential.

As the England team tees off in Sweden, they will be competing for their country — but they will also be carrying the hopes of the next generation of deaf golfers with them.

And sometimes, the most important victory happens long before the final score is recorded.