6 . Golf Team Event

Today is Golf: Team event- As usual some photos and a very special video.

Today is special above all else, because today I met Keren, whose husband Mark passed away tragically and she gave permission for Organ Donation. She is a member of the Donors family network who all walked last into the Stadium for the Opening Ceremony on Sunday, where we all stood and clapped. The Donor family network attend the games to promote Organ Donation- their bravery to continue to do this in the face of their loss is remarkable. Such a beautiful lady. While we, the recipients can write a letter of gratitude to the donor family, it is unlikely we will ever meet. So just hugging Keren and saying thank you - it’s a universal thank you to all the donors and families - that’s what I felt today.

They were calling me to the tee but Keren’s interview which she kindly did for me, was way more important than golf. It’s included today at the end- not because it’s least important but because it’s the most important- the lasting memory I will have of these games despite the friendship, fun, sport etc . Keren travels to the games as part of Team UK. I think Keren knows how special our meeting meant to me and as I hit my first shot today, I said - “ This is for you Mark”

On that day when Keren lost everything, she also gave everything . 8 people, she saved that day. 💕 Eight people, who will always be grateful for that second chance.

Day 2 : Golf - another early morning and another 6 hours of golf potentially. I’d need to have done Ironman endurance training for these games with the early mornings and late nights. Tomorrow is a day off, so support others and a bit of tourism. I was supposed to have discus training but the Archery was on the same area so they were concerned it might have evolved into some mad form of clay pigeon shooting c arrows. Who knows- there’s a lot of lovely nutters here.

Back to the golf. I smoked the ball today and played bar a few bad putts on the back 9, a good day overall. We probably didn’t dovetail as we needed to but Marie was amazing. She was the first Transplant Athlete to make contact and invite me to partner with her in the Team event. Marie is a games stalwart and many RGC members know her as she plays in Lahinch.

There was a beach party on tonight for the Athletes but by the time we finished the golf (there were more than a few glasses of beer and wine and a few goodbyes as golf was the last event for Rob and Sean and their partner’s Kathy and Bernie)- it was too late to attend and so Tom, fellow GF and myself headed off to find dinner.

Congratulations to Victor who won a Silver medal in Archery. He has competed in Archery events throughout Europe, not just at the Transplant Games so this is a special day for him. 🥈

💕Pam

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