A SUNRAYSIA golfer has achieved international success after competing at the 2024 World Deaf Golf Championships.
Coomealla and Red Cliffs golfer Kaylene Geddes came fifth in the ladies senior section of the competition, which was held at the Gold Coast’s Royal Pines golf course in August.
Although having competed in the Australian Deaf Games this year, Geddes said it was still a little nerve-wracking to compete at an international level.
“I was very overwhelmed with the whole thing because it was my first time,” she said.
“I was so nervous because I didn’t know what to expect.
“But then I started to settle down and I met some lovely people from different countries and that.
“Once I got in there I couldn’t believe it.”
Geddes first began playing golf in 2015, joining the Robinvale Golf Club as a way to meet people in her new town.
She was there for two-and-a-half years before heading back to Mildura, and is now a member of both Red Cliffs and Coomealla.
Geddes was born deaf, but has cochlear implants to help with her hearing.
However, she was unable to wear either her cochlear implants nor hearing aids for the actual competition, to make sure the playing field was even for all competitors.
“I found it really strange because when someone hits the ball, I would say oh well done, but they can’t hear me,” Geddes said.
“So I would have to tap them on the shoulder to congratulate them.”
Geddes is set to compete in the Victorian Deaf Golf Championships in Melbourne in October, and has her sights set on heading to the next World Championships, which will be held in Sweden in two years’ time.
