Five Nations Golf Tournament: France Joins the Family for Two Unforgettable Days
Two days of golf, laughter, sporting spirit and lifelong friendships as Sport Parkinson’s welcomes France to its Five Nations Golf Tournament for the first time.
There are some sporting events that are about much more than the scorecard, and Sport Parkinson’s latest Five Nations Golf Tournament was the perfect example. Bringing together people living with Parkinson’s, supporters, sporting personalities, industry partners and organisations from across the community, this year’s tournament was a celebration of everything that makes sport so powerful.
With France joining the Five Nations for the very first time, the event marked an exciting new chapter for the tournament. Across two memorable days, more than 200 people came together to enjoy golf, share experiences, build connections and, most importantly, create memories that will last a lifetime
A new chapter for the Five Nations
Welcoming France to the tournament was a real milestone for Sport Parkinson’s. The Five Nations Golf Tournament continues to bring people together through a shared love of sport, creating an environment where everyone can feel included, supported and part of something special.
Golf provides a wonderful opportunity to stay active, challenge yourself and enjoy time with others, regardless of ability or experience. For people living with Parkinson’s, opportunities like these can be particularly valuable, offering a chance to focus on what is possible, discover new skills and connect with people who understand the importance of staying active.
The addition of France brought a fresh dimension to the tournament, strengthening the international spirit of friendship and demonstrating how sport can bring people together across borders.
And, of course, there was plenty of golf along the way!
A headline day packed with familiar faces
The second day saw the tournament build to a fantastic occasion, supported by our headline sponsors: Roc Search, Ranmore Fund Management, LMAX Group, Easyfairs, Gym Rental Company, Decathlon and AQ Construction.
Their support helped make the day possible, and we are incredibly grateful to every sponsor and partner who shares our commitment to making sport more accessible and creating opportunities for people affected by Parkinson’s.
The event also welcomed a brilliant line-up of sporting personalities and familiar faces, including Mike Tindall, Lee Hendrie, Gladstone Small, John ‘Fenners’ Fendley from Soccer AM, Dean Saunders and Kevin Phillips.
Their presence added to the atmosphere, bringing plenty of conversation, laughter and sporting stories to the day. But while the celebrity names certainly helped create a buzz, the real stars of the tournament were the people who came together to take part, support one another and enjoy every moment.
From the first swings to the final putts, the course was full of energy, encouragement and the kind of camaraderie that makes a Sport Parkinson’s event so special.
Bringing the Parkinson’s community together
Sport Parkinson’s is about building a community through physical activity, and that community was out in force across both days.
We were delighted to welcome representatives from Parkinson’s UK, PDNSA, British Nordic Walking, England Golf and VPAR Scoring. Having these organisations involved reinforced the importance of collaboration, shared knowledge and working together to improve opportunities for people living with Parkinson’s.
Every organisation brings its own experience and expertise, but there is a common purpose: helping people remain active, feel connected and discover the benefits that sport and exercise can bring.
Events like the Five Nations Golf Tournament provide a valuable opportunity to strengthen those relationships, exchange ideas and celebrate the work being done across the Parkinson’s and sporting communities.
Because when people come together with a shared purpose, the impact can reach far beyond the event itself.
Warming up, learning and giving golf a go
The tournament was about much more than getting out onto the course. We also wanted to help people prepare, build confidence and experience new ways to enjoy the game.
We were delighted to be warmed up by Linda Segerstam from The Intelligent Core, who specialises in Pilates for golfers and is also a volunteer PGA golf coach. Her contribution helped set the tone for the days ahead, highlighting the importance of movement, mobility and preparation in supporting an enjoyable golfing experience.
We also hosted two Golf Academies across both days led by Dan Warwick, Head PGA Professional and Academy Manager. These sessions offered another fantastic opportunity for participants to develop their skills, learn from an experienced professional and enjoy the game in a welcoming environment.
Whether someone was an experienced golfer or simply keen to give golf a try, the academies reflected a key part of Sport Parkinson’s approach: creating opportunities for people to participate, build confidence and discover what they can achieve.
Sometimes, a little encouragement, a new skill or simply the chance to try something different can make all the difference.
And that is exactly what these experiences are designed to deliver.
More than a tournament: friendships that last a lifetime
With more than 300 people joining us across the event, the Five Nations Golf Tournament was a powerful reminder of what can happen when people come together through sport.
There were great shots, challenging holes, plenty of laughter and, no doubt, a few stories that will be told for years to come. But the moments that matter most often happen away from the leaderboard: conversations between people who have never met before, encouragement from a fellow golfer, the sharing of personal experiences and the realisation that you are part of a community that understands.
For people living with Parkinson’s, these connections can be incredibly important. A diagnosis can bring uncertainty and challenges, but events like this help demonstrate that Parkinson’s does not have to mean giving up the activities, friendships and experiences that make life fulfilling.
At Sport Parkinson’s, we believe in helping people find their way to play, whatever their starting point. The Five Nations Golf Tournament embodies that belief, bringing people together in a positive, inclusive environment where ability, determination and friendship matter far more than any individual score.
And with France joining us for the first time, we have even more reasons to look forward to what comes next.
A huge thank you to everyone involved
An event of this scale simply would not happen without the generosity, enthusiasm and commitment of so many people.
To our headline sponsors — thank you for believing in what we do and helping us deliver such a memorable occasion.
To our sporting personalities, representatives from Parkinson’s UK, PDNSA, British Nordic Walking, England Golf and VPAR Scoring, Olivia Mitchell (Parkinson's Physio) and to Linda Segerstam and Dan Warwick for their fantastic contributions, thank you for sharing your time, knowledge and passion.
And to every golfer, volunteer, supporter, family member and friend who joined us across the two days, thank you for making the Five Nations what it is.
Your support helps us continue to create opportunities for people affected by Parkinson’s to stay active, build confidence and experience the incredible benefits of being part of a sporting community.
Until next time…
As the clubs were packed away and the tournament came to a close, one thing was clear: the success of the Five Nations Golf Tournament cannot be measured by the final score alone, although we do have to say a huge well done to team Wales, a well deserved win!
It is also measured in the friendships formed, the confidence gained, the barriers challenged and the memories created. It is in the smiles, the shared stories and the feeling of belonging to something bigger than yourself.
We welcomed France for the first time, celebrated the power of golf and brought more than 300 people together for two unforgettable days. There was lots of golf, lots of laughter, lots of memories and lifelong friendships made.
This is what Sport Parkinson’s events are all about.
We look forward to welcoming everyone back for the next chapter of the Five Nations Golf Tournament, with more opportunities to play, connect and show that Parkinson’s should never be allowed to define what is possible.
Together, we are stronger.
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