Injured soldier Curtis receives courtesy of the course

A serviceman from Arnold, Notts, has been granted free membership of Ramsdale Park Golf Centre as he attempts to rebuild his physical fitness after suffering horrendous injuries while serving in Afghanistan.

Twenty-five year-old Curtis Jackson, who served in the Royal Signal Regiment, has been battling back to full fitness after being badly wounded in May last year when his patrol base was hit by a mortar and grenade attack, which left him with multiple injuries, including a fractured skull, which resulting in brain damage, a shattered arm, fractured lower back and numerous shrapnel wounds.

He has turned to golf as a way of helping him to increase the power in his left arm and return to the active lifestyle he was used before that fateful day, and Ramsdale Park – part of leading golf course owner and operator BGL Golf – is helping him to do that by allowing him to use its facilities for free.

“I was absolutely chuffed when Ramsdale Park offered me a membership,” said Curtis. “It is my local course so I have played there a lot and everyone is so helpful and generous. I cannot express my enjoyment and happiness enough.

“I have brought a few injured lads along to the centre and they have all been equally impressed with the course and staff – many thanks to Ramsdale Park for their support of all injured soldiers, not just me.”

Curtis took up golf after a fellow injured soldier told him how it helped him recuperate when they were being treated at Headley Court – the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Unit in Surrey.

“I started playing just using my right arm, as my left arm was still in cast and pretty much useless. I have three plates and 11 pins in there as there was barely any bone left in my arm following the blast,” explained Curtis.

“The arm only has about 85% power and my left foot is permanently numb due to shrapnel damage to my sciatic nerve. My brain damage has improved compared to how it was, but I’m not as quick as I used to be,” he joked.

Through the Battle Back scheme, which uses sports rehabilitation to help seriously wounded service personnel gain confidence and return to an active lifestyle, Curtis has been able to play some of the best courses in England, France and America.

He added: “I’ve always been an keen all-round sportsman, unfortunately I can no longer pursue a football career within the army, so golf is a game which has helped my cognitively and physically.”

Nick Birch, Ramsdale Park Golf Centre General Manager, said: “What Curtis and his fellow soldiers have been through is nothing short of horrific, these brave men have laid their lives on the line. The injuries they have sustained have made everyday life particularly difficult for them and we are more than happy to do anything we can to help them to return to as normal a life as possible.”

*For further information visit www.ramsdaleparkgc.co.uk or www.mod.uk/battleback