This page brings together short summaries of selected articles, reflections and PDFs published through B-Real. It is designed to help readers understand the main themes across the work I have presented on B-Real.
This archive includes short reflections, longer pieces, personal stories, useful thoughts and the occasional lesson learned the hard way.
Some are about people. Some are about work, family, time, effort, failure, friendship, learning and the strange business of trying to make sense of things as life moves along.
Archive
31. Must try Harder
Theme: Effort, trust and understanding when trying harder gets in the way.
Topics covered: Effort, learning, school reports, performance, preparation, trust, overthinking, tension, control, competence, sport, work, mindset, letting go, self-reflection, personal growth.
Summary: Must Try Harder reflects on a phrase that appeared regularly on Tony Bennett’s school reports and considers whether trying harder is always the right answer. The article explores the difference between effort in preparation and effort in performance, suggesting that while practice, learning and refinement often benefit from hard work, the moment of performance may require trust rather than force. It looks at how overthinking, tension and the need for control can interfere with skills that are already in place. The article is especially relevant to readers interested in learning, performance, mindset, preparation, trust, overthinking, personal growth and the challenge of knowing when to push harder and when to let go.
30. What I did while I Was learning: An alternative CV
Theme: Career reflection, just-in-time learning and a life shaped through golf, coaching, education and G4D.
Topics covered: Career development, alternative CV, just-in-time learning, golf professional, club professional, golf business, coaching, coach education, national federations, Portugal golf, ScoringZone, Confederation of Professional Golf, The R&A, EDGA, G4D, golf for the disabled, inclusion, governance, world rankings, disability sport, Paralympic golf, mentoring, lifelong learning.
Summary: What I Did While I Was Learning is an alternative CV that reflects on 50 years of work, learning and adaptation. Rather than presenting a conventional career record, the article follows Tony Bennett’s journey through playing, club professional work, business ownership, national coaching, coach education, federation consultancy, EDGA, G4D and international disability inclusion in golf. It explores the difference between “just in case learning” and “just in time learning”, showing how mistakes, opportunities, people and practical work shaped each stage of his career. The article is especially relevant to readers interested in golf careers, coaching, leadership, coach education, G4D, golf for the disabled, inclusion, sport development, governance, lifelong learning and the value of learning on the job.
29. When golf refuses to obey
Theme: Frustration, expectation and learning from mistakes in golf.
Topics covered: Golf frustration, expectation, self-criticism, learning, competition, emotional control, imperfection, impermanence, player development, decision-making, tactical errors, resilience, confidence, golf psychology, young players.
Summary: When Golf Refuses to Obey explores what happens when golf does not match the picture in a player’s head. Through the story of a young golfer, anonymised as Dennis, the article looks at frustration, self-criticism and the belief that players should already be beyond certain mistakes. Drawing on the ideas of being incomplete, imperfect and impermanent, it suggests that mistakes can become information rather than evidence for self-attack. The article is especially relevant to readers interested in golf psychology, frustration, expectation, resilience, player development, competitive golf, emotional control and learning how to move forward when the game refuses to obey.
28. The trouble with trying harder
Theme: Effort, trust and the limits of simply trying harder.
Topics covered: Golf performance, effort, trust, pressure, over-control, rhythm, preparation, confidence, performance anxiety, skill execution, presentation skills, communication, mindset, learning to let go.
Summary: The Trouble with Trying Harder questions the familiar advice to “just try harder” and asks whether more effort is always the answer. Using golf as the starting point, the article explores how extra force, control and desperation can interfere with rhythm, skill and judgement once the work has already been done. It also connects the lesson to life beyond the course, including presentations and conversations. The article is especially relevant to readers interested in golf performance, confidence, pressure, trust, preparation, over-control, mindset and the challenge of letting skill happen when the moment arrives.
27. The shots in between: Learning from the grey
Theme: Learning from the grey areas between good and bad golf.
Topics covered: Golf reflection, decision-making, self-assessment, learning, performance review, practice, scoring, judgement, progress, poor choices, good outcomes, bad outcomes, growth mindset, golf improvement.
Summary: The Shots in Between is a short reflection on the danger of judging a round too quickly as either good or bad. The article considers how useful learning often sits in the grey areas, where a disappointing score may still contain good signs and a decent result may hide poor decisions. Rather than asking whether a round was simply successful or unsuccessful, it encourages better questions about what was repeatable, what was lucky and what needs attention. The article is especially relevant to readers interested in golf improvement, self-assessment, decision-making, learning, progress, performance review and the small moments where real growth often begins.
26. Right here, Right now
Theme: Pressure, presence and learning to play golf in the moment.
Topics covered: Golf psychology, pressure, attention, present-moment awareness, sponsorship pressure, rankings, performance anxiety, emotional weight, closing out rounds, pre-shot routine, sensory awareness, confidence, competitive golf, mental reset.
Summary: Right Here, Right Now explores why golfers sometimes struggle to finish good rounds, even when the skill is clearly there. Through the story of an experienced PGA professional carrying the weight of rankings, sponsorship and expectation, the article shows how pressure can pull a player into the past or future and away from the shot in front of them. It offers a simple sensory reset and a practical checklist to help players return to the present. The article is especially relevant to readers interested in golf psychology, pressure, competitive performance, attention, confidence, sponsorship, mental routines and learning how to play one shot at a time.
25. R&A Thought Leadership article
Theme: A lifetime in golf, industry change and the future of a more inclusive game.
Topics covered: Golf industry, coaching, coach education, professional development, career learning, golf business, G4D, golf for the disabled, inclusion, access, participation, leadership, technology, golf culture, player experience, sport development.
Summary: R&A Thought Leadership is a wide-ranging reflection on a lifetime spent in golf, from early playing days and club professional work to national coaching, coach education, business leadership and G4D. The article considers how golf has shaped the author’s life, while also asking what the game must do next if it is to remain relevant, welcoming and meaningful. It explores the need for better access, stronger leadership, more thoughtful education and a greater understanding of the people golf hopes to serve. The article is especially relevant to readers interested in golf industry change, coaching, G4D, golf for the disabled, inclusion, participation, leadership, coach education and the future of the game.
24. “Winners Know How to Win”
Theme: Coaching, performance recovery and helping a proven winner return to contention.
Topics covered: Golf coaching, Tour golf, confidence, performance recovery, player environment, technical practice, instinct, feel, video analysis, shot-making, contention, winning mindset, practice culture, trust, coach-player relationship.
Summary: Winners Know How to Win tells the story of an anonymised Tour player, called Wendy, who had already proved she could compete and win but had lost her way on the course. The article follows the process of helping her move away from over-analysis, constant video review and technical self-judgement, and back towards feel, instinct and the simple act of seeing and playing shots. It also explores the importance of environment, including who players practise with, travel with and talk to when they are under pressure. The article is especially relevant to readers interested in golf coaching, elite performance, confidence, shot-making, player development, practice habits and the mental side of returning to contention.
23. “It Probably Is as Bad as You Think It Is”: Tony Poole
Theme: Stroke recovery, resilience and rebuilding life through golf.
Topics covered: Stroke recovery, disability, rehabilitation, golf for the disabled, G4D, mental health, depression, family support, work identity, one-handed golf, resilience, gratitude, competitive golf, post-traumatic growth.
Summary: It Probably Is as Bad as You Think It Is tells the story of Tony Poole, a New Zealander living in Texas who survived a serious stroke in 2012. The article follows Tony’s journey from an active life of work, surfing, cycling, snowboarding and endurance sport into the difficult process of rehabilitation, emotional recovery and adjustment. It explores the physical and psychological effects of stroke, including depression, identity loss and the challenge of returning to work. Golf becomes a safe sporting option and eventually a renewed source of competition, purpose and confidence. The article is especially relevant to readers interested in stroke recovery, disability, G4D, golf for the disabled, resilience, mental health, rehabilitation and the role of sport in rebuilding life.
22. “I Need My Life Back”: Kenny Bontz
Theme: Addiction, amputation, recovery and finding purpose through golf.
Topics covered: Kenny Bontz, golf for the disabled, G4D, amputation, cancer, diabetes, opioid addiction, recovery, rehabilitation, mental strength, personal change, World Ranking for Golfers with Disability, competitive golf, purpose.
Summary: I Need My Life Back is a powerful profile of Kenny Bontz, an American golfer whose life was shaped by type 1 diabetes, Ewing sarcoma, repeated knee replacements, opioid addiction and elective amputation. The article follows Kenny’s journey from illness and addiction towards recovery, self-reflection and renewed purpose. After deciding that he needed his life back, Kenny chose amputation as part of his route away from pain medication and towards a healthier future. Golf becomes central to his new life, giving him competition, discipline and a platform to show what golfers with disabilities can do. The article is especially relevant to readers interested in G4D, golf for the disabled, addiction recovery, amputation, resilience, personal transformation, disability sport and the power of golf to support identity and purpose.
21. Centre Court Dreams to the Home of Golf: Monique Kalkman
Theme: Monique Kalkman’s journey from wheelchair tennis champion to golf for the disabled advocate.
Topics covered: Monique Kalkman, golf for the disabled, G4D, wheelchair tennis, Paralympic sport, rehabilitation, disability sport, EDGA, Going for Golf Foundation, women in golf, resilience, sporting excellence, inclusion, International Tennis Hall of Fame.
Summary: From Centre Court Dreams to the Home of Golf profiles Monique Kalkman, a former world number one wheelchair tennis player and Paralympic gold medallist who later found a new sporting path through golf. The article traces her journey from childhood dreams of becoming the next Chris Evert, through serious illness and rehabilitation, to international success in table tennis and wheelchair tennis. It then follows her move into golf, where she learned to play using a paragolfer and became an advocate for helping more people with disabilities experience the game. Through her work with EDGA and her Going for Golf Foundation, Monique helps break down barriers and promote golf as a sport with rehabilitative, competitive and social value. The article is especially relevant to readers interested in G4D, golf for the disabled, wheelchair tennis, Paralympic sport, rehabilitation, women in golf, inclusive sport and athlete transition.
20. It’s Not About the Cake: A Small Slice of Community
Theme: Community, human connection and the value of local places.
Topics covered: Community, local cafés, volunteering, human interaction, small businesses, charity cafés, social connection, local economy, belonging, everyday choices, people over process.
Summary: It’s Not About the Cake is a reflective article about the role small local cafés can play in building community and human connection. Starting with the simple pleasure of coffee and homemade cake, the piece looks beyond the transaction to consider the people, rituals and relationships behind these places. It reflects on charity-run and community-based cafés as meeting points where volunteers, local bakers and familiar faces create something more meaningful than convenience. The article argues that choosing small local places can support connection, conversation and a modest but important sense of belonging. It is especially relevant to readers interested in community, local life, volunteering, human interaction, small businesses and the value of choosing people over process.
19. Notes on Value: Eight Square Metres and a shot of espresso
Theme: Value, perception and the conditions that shape what something is worth.
Topics covered: Value, price, perception, consumer behaviour, place, scarcity, expectation, hospitality, London, Portugal, espresso, retail, service, self-image, story.
Summary: Eight Square Metres and a Shot of Espresso is a short reflection on value and how it changes according to context. Through examples including a small hotel room in central London, the price of espresso in Portugal, outlet trainers and Doc Martens, the article explores how people rarely judge value by the object alone. Place, timing, scarcity, service, expectation and story all influence what feels reasonable, excessive or worthwhile. The article suggests that value is not fixed, but moves according to the conditions around the experience. It is especially relevant to readers interested in consumer behaviour, hospitality, pricing, perception, service, retail and the psychology of value.
18. When Plans Meet Life: Expectations and Reality
Theme: Expectations, adjustment and making room for reality.
Topics covered: Expectations, disappointment, planning, progress, personal growth, business, sport, coaching, adaptation, resilience, leadership, reality, patience.
Summary: When Plans Meet Life is a reflective article about the gap between what we expect and what actually happens. Drawing on examples from relationships, work, business, sport and personal experience, the piece explores how disappointment often begins when reality fails to match the picture we had in mind. It recognises that progress is rarely as neat as a plan, and that people, circumstances and priorities often move at their own pace. Rather than treating adjustment as failure, the article argues for a more patient distinction between adapting and giving up. It is especially relevant to readers interested in coaching, leadership, personal growth, planning, resilience, business and the realities of change.
17. Three Little Words: It’s a Miracle
Theme: Recognition, encouragement and the quiet power of words.
Topics covered: Encouragement, recognition, human connection, resilience, illness, sepsis, recovery, communication, kindness, words that matter, noticing others, emotional support.
Summary: Three Little Words is a moving reflective article about recognition, encouragement and the impact of simple words at critical moments. The piece tells the story of Ann, who developed sepsis, was placed into an induced coma for two months, and later recalled hearing a nurse say, “It’s a miracle.” Those three words became a form of strength during her recovery. The article then widens into a reflection on how small signs of recognition, a nod, a phrase, or a few words of encouragement, can help people feel seen and held. It is especially relevant to readers interested in resilience, recovery, communication, kindness, emotional support, human connection and the importance of noticing others.
16. Things That Sneak Up: Some Things Do Not Arrive Suddenly
Theme: Awareness, prevention and noticing gradual change before it becomes serious.
Topics covered: Awareness, health, habits, finances, relationships, attention, prevention, personal responsibility, gradual change, self-awareness, priorities, life management.
Summary: Things That Sneak Up is a short reflective article about the problems that build slowly before we fully notice them. Using the examples of pantomime warnings and the football shout of “man on”, the piece contrasts obvious danger with the quieter things that creep into life without announcement. Extra weight, poor health, financial pressure and neglected relationships rarely arrive suddenly; they gather over time. The article argues for the need to look around more often, notice what has been left unattended, and act before small issues become harder to shift. It is especially relevant to readers interested in health, habits, self-awareness, prevention, personal responsibility, attention and managing life before problems become too large.
15. Actions Are Hard to Edit: Words Matter, Actions Deliver
Theme: Accountability, communication and the difference between intention and action.
Topics covered: Action, communication, accountability, leadership, intention, behaviour, clarity, responsibility, workplace culture, self-reflection, trust, follow-through.
Summary: Actions Are Hard to Edit reflects on the difference between what people say and what they actually do. The article recognises that words matter, especially in writing, presenting, coaching and leadership, but also points out that words can be polished and rearranged more easily than behaviour. Actions are harder to edit, and therefore often reveal more. The piece encourages readers to look beyond intention and ask whether their own actions have made things clearer, easier and more likely to happen. It is especially relevant to readers interested in leadership, accountability, communication, trust, workplace behaviour, personal responsibility and the importance of follow-through.
14. Do Good Work: Useful Trumps Impressive
Theme: Meaningful contribution and the value of useful work.
Topics covered: Good work, useful work, contribution, purpose, local impact, humility, comparison, service, helping others, professional value, personal fulfilment, quiet impact.
Summary: Do Good Work is a reflective article about the value of useful work in a noisy and highly connected world. It considers how seeing other people’s achievements, projects and success stories can make our own work feel small or insignificant. The article argues that most good work does not begin by trying to impress the whole world, but by helping the person, team or organisation directly in front of us. It reminds readers that local work may look small from a distance, but can matter deeply to the person who benefits from it. The article is especially relevant to readers interested in purpose, contribution, service, professional value, humility, comparison and the quiet impact of doing useful work well.
13. Too Busy to Learn: Learning Needs Somewhere to Land
Theme: Learning, reflection and making space to think.
Topics covered: Learning, reflection, curiosity, personal development, thinking time, changing your mind, better information, professional growth, self-awareness, attention, space, relearning.
Summary: Too Busy to Learn is a reflective article about the danger of becoming so busy that learning has nowhere to settle. The piece begins with the realisation that even someone who values learning can become overloaded by tasks, obligations and constant activity. It argues that learning does not always arrive through formal courses, certificates or structured materials; sometimes it comes from observation, better questions, changed opinions or remembering something we once knew. The article suggests that the problem is not always a lack of information, but a lack of space to notice, question and think. It is especially relevant to readers interested in personal development, professional growth, reflection, curiosity, learning habits and making room for better thinking.
12. Beyond the Tee: Navigating the Course
Theme: Golf for the disabled, player journeys and how golf can become more inclusive.
Topics covered: G4D, golf for the disabled, disability sport, EDGA, golfers with disabilities, barriers to participation, inclusive golf, accessibility, lived experience, player pathways, Integrated Knowledge Translation, disability models, golf industry change.
Summary: Beyond the Tee: Navigating the Course is a doctoral thesis examining the player journey for golfers with disabilities and the changes needed to make golf more inclusive. Drawing on desk research, a scoping review, interviews and observation, the thesis explores the barriers, facilitators and benefits experienced by golfers with disabilities. It considers how people enter, stay in and move through the game, while also examining the role of golf clubs, federations, coaches and wider industry stakeholders. The thesis makes practical recommendations for how golf can adjust, including greater awareness, improved access, better support, more inclusive environments and the use of knowledge translation to move research into action. It is especially relevant to readers interested in G4D, golf for the disabled, disability sport, inclusion, accessibility, EDGA, player pathways, golf development and the future of inclusive golf.
11. Near to the Green: Career Decisions in Professional Golf
Theme: Career decisions, professional golf and the changing development of PGA golf professionals.
Topics covered: Professional golf, PGA, golf professionals, career decisions, career development, vocational education, apprenticeship, golf education, professional training, career planning, chance, luck, role models, first jobs, sport careers.
Summary: Near to the Green: Career Decisions in Professional Golf is an MPhil thesis exploring the career decisions of PGA golf professionals across different periods of professional education between 1961 and 2007. The study examines how golf professionals entered, developed and adjusted their careers within a changing industry. It considers the influence of apprenticeship, early employment, role models, training provision, career planning and chance or luck. The thesis highlights the importance of the professional community into which aspiring golf professionals are immersed, the significance of the first job and employing professional, and the need for better preparation for multiple career adjustments. It is especially relevant to readers interested in professional golf, PGA careers, sport careers, vocational education, apprenticeship, career development and the changing role of the golf professional.
10. The GBN Interview
Theme: EDGA’s 25-year journey and the future of golf for the disabled.
Topics covered: EDGA, G4D, golf for the disabled, Tony Bennett, thoughtful inclusivity, inclusive golf, disability sport, player pathways, golf industry, The R&A, DP World Tour, G4D Open, coach education, 8-Stage Pathway, World Ranking for Golfers with Disability.
Summary: The GBN Interview is a Golf Business News interview with EDGA President Tony Bennett marking 25 years of the European Disabled Golf Association. The article looks back at EDGA’s journey from a small European initiative into a major catalyst for change in golf for the disabled. It explains how EDGA has helped develop eligibility systems, tournament structures, coach education, the World Ranking for Golfers with Disability, the G4D Tour, The G4D Open and the 8-Stage Pathway for national federations. The interview also explores the wider opportunity for the golf industry, arguing that thoughtful inclusivity can help more people with disabilities experience, enjoy and compete in golf while also strengthening the game as a whole. The article is especially relevant to readers interested in EDGA, G4D, inclusive golf, disability sport, golf industry development, player pathways and the future of golf for the disabled.
09. Impaired or Disabled?
Theme: Understanding impairment, disability and the barriers to participation in golf.
Topics covered: Disability, impairment, social model of disability, medical model of disability, golf for the disabled, G4D, inclusion, accessibility, participation barriers, golf clubs, built environment, social attitudes, inclusive sport.
Summary: Impaired or Disabled? explains the difference between impairment and disability, drawing on definitions from the World Health Organisation, Public Health England and disability scholarship. The article outlines the medical model of disability, which focuses on the individual’s limitations, and the social model of disability, which focuses on the barriers created by environments, attitudes and systems. Using golf as the central context, it argues that the game genuinely values people, but can still create unnecessary barriers by asking players to conform to narrow norms. The article is especially relevant to readers interested in golf for the disabled, G4D, inclusion, accessibility, disability models, golf clubs, participation and the opportunity for golf to become one of the most inclusive sports.
08. The Homework and the Ice-Cream
Theme: Excuses, accountability and the stories people tell to avoid responsibility.
Topics covered: Excuses, accountability, childhood lessons, school, honesty, responsibility, storytelling, human behaviour, decision-making, self-awareness, personal reflection.
Summary: The Homework and the Ice-Cream is a short reflective article about excuses and accountability. The piece begins with a childhood memory of not doing homework and offering the familiar excuse that it had been left on the kitchen table. Rather than accepting the detail of the story, the teacher responds with the unexpected phrase, “You didn’t have any ice cream”, making the point that one excuse is often as good as another. The article reflects on how polished explanations can sometimes hide a simpler truth: the thing was not done. It is especially relevant to readers interested in personal responsibility, communication, honesty, human behaviour, leadership and the small lessons that stay with us.
07. Same Seed, Different Soil: Mastery Travels
Theme: Personal change, habits and the limits of changing your surroundings.
Topics covered: Personal growth, habits, relocation, change, self-awareness, discipline, mastery, behaviour, responsibility, Cristiano Ronaldo, mindset, new beginnings, life choices.
Summary: Same Seed, Different Soil is a direct and reflective article about the relationship between environment, behaviour and personal change. Using Cristiano Ronaldo as an example of mastery that travels, the piece argues that people take their habits, fears, excuses and patterns with them wherever they go. A new country, job, relationship or lifestyle may help, but it cannot do the deeper work of changing behaviour. The article challenges the idea that a new setting alone can create a new life, suggesting instead that meaningful change begins with habits, responsibility and self-awareness. It is especially relevant to readers interested in relocation, personal growth, discipline, mindset, mastery and the difference between changing scenery and changing oneself.
06. 12:55
Theme: Time, attention and the practice of being present.
Topics covered: Time, attention, presence, mindfulness, reflection, everyday moments, priorities, personal growth, distraction, modern life, Wil, reflective writing.
Summary: 12:55 is a short reflective article about time, attention and the difficulty of being fully present. Beginning with a moment on Thursday, 2 August 2018, the piece observes how quickly time passes, often before we have noticed or appreciated it. Through Wil’s reminder that looking at the clock can mean missing what matters, the article shifts from time management to attention. It suggests that the real issue is not always a lack of time, but how we choose to spend our attention. The article is especially relevant to readers interested in mindfulness, presence, personal reflection, modern distraction, priorities and the small moments that shape daily life.
05. This Worked for Me
Theme: Learning how to write, study and structure academic work.
Topics covered: Education, essay writing, academic writing, study skills, PhD, mature learning, structure, planning, note-taking, critical reading, answering the question, editing, personal development.
Summary: This Worked for Me is a practical and personal article about learning how to write, study and produce longer pieces of academic work. Introduced through the influence of Dr Kyle Phillpots, the article reflects on how academic confidence can develop later in life, even for someone who once struggled as a student. It explains the importance of understanding the question, especially the command words such as describe, explain and analyse, before moving into reading, note-taking, planning, drafting and editing. The article is especially useful for students, mature learners, researchers and anyone facing the challenge of writing essays, dissertations or a thesis. It is also relevant to readers interested in education, self-improvement, academic confidence and the practical habits behind clearer writing.
04. An Assault on our Attention
Theme: Attention, digital influence and helping children navigate a changing world.
Topics covered: Attention, digital media, AI, social media, children and technology, critical thinking, misinformation, parenting, screen use, algorithms, emotional wellbeing, media literacy, digital habits.
Summary: The Game We Are Playing reflects on the pressure created by digital content, social media and AI, particularly for children who may not yet have the experience to judge what is true, exaggerated or manipulative. The article contrasts an analogue childhood with today’s constant digital environment, where attention is targeted by algorithms, media platforms and personalised content streams. Rather than arguing for complete avoidance of screens, it makes the case for guidance, moderation and critical thinking. Through the idea that attention has become the game we are all playing, the article asks readers to consider what they give their time to, what they question, and how children can be helped to pause before accepting what they see. It is especially relevant to readers interested in parenting, digital literacy, AI, attention, media influence and children’s wellbeing.
03. Reflections on Career: A Less Recognisable Career
Theme: Career development, adaptability and learning through experience.
Topics covered: Career change, non-linear careers, professional development, transferable skills, sport careers, golf, mentoring, strategic thinking, incremental improvement, workplace culture, learning from mistakes.
Summary: Reflections on Career considers how careers have become less linear and less easily defined than they once were. Drawing on personal experience across golf, coaching, education, business, volunteering, administration and academia, the article reflects on the value of breadth, curiosity and transferable skills. It also shares practical lessons from Duncan Weir, including the value of writing things down, making incremental improvements, taking time to understand culture before trying to shape it, and learning from mistakes without repeating them. The article is especially relevant to readers interested in career development, sport careers, mentoring, leadership, personal growth and adapting to change.
02. Chinese Whispers: Chinese Whispers in the Workplace
Theme: Listening, leadership and the danger of distorted communication.
Topics covered: Workplace communication, listening skills, leadership, mentoring, medical communication, trust, open questions, misunderstanding, assumptions, workplace culture, G4D, golf for the disabled.
Summary: Chinese Whispers is a reflective article about the importance of patient listening, better questions and careful communication. Through the example of Professor Hans Arendzen, the piece explores how medical practice, workplace leadership and mentoring all depend on the ability to listen beyond surface-level words. The article uses the familiar game of Chinese whispers to show how easily messages can become distorted as they move between people, especially when assumptions fill the gaps. It argues that good leadership is not always about offering quick answers, but about creating the space for others to think, understand and find their own way forward. The article is especially relevant to readers interested in communication, leadership, mentoring, workplace culture, healthcare, G4D and human-centred decision-making.
01. When people offer support take it: Kate Pollard
Theme: Family support, autism, G4D and the role of golf in creating safety, confidence and opportunity.
Topics covered: G4D, golf for the disabled, autism, sensory overload, family support, parenting, disability, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Hirschsprung’s Disease, Special Olympics, Golf Australia, competition, routine, risk management, emotional regulation, inclusion, resilience, support networks.
Summary: When People Offer Support, Take It tells the story of Cameron Pollard, a young golfer from Coffs Harbour, and his mother Kate as they navigate the demands of disability, family life and competitive golf. The article begins at the 2019 Australian Open, where Cameron is preparing to play on a major stage, before exploring the daily realities behind that moment, including autism, sensory overload, medical conditions, routine, preparation and family resilience. It shows how golf gives Cameron structure, purpose, connection and a place where he can belong, while also highlighting the constant planning and care provided by his parents. The article is especially relevant to readers interested in G4D, golf for the disabled, autism, family support, sensory overload, inclusion, Special Olympics, competitive golf, disability, parenting and the importance of accepting help when it is offered.