NORTHBRIDGE – For many, a game of golf is an entertaining afternoon of bogeys and birdies. But for Charlie Bristow, the man behind the social media account Charlie’s Golfing Club, golf is much more.
Charlie has been diagnosed with autism and is in his 14th year of visiting golf courses across the country.
WBZ-TV recently met him at Shining Rock Golf Club in Northbridge, one of the 85 courses he will visit this year.
Raising awareness of autism through golf
Charlie uses the game of golf to raise awareness about autism through his popular Instagram account @CharliesGolfingClub. Over the years, the Bristow family has raised nearly $62,000 for autism charities.
The lessons learned on the fairways and greens have made Charlie the man he is today.
“I remember when Charlie wouldn’t look you in the eye and wouldn’t shake your hand,” said his father, Bill. “I think back to those days just because of one thing – golf – and how good Charlie has become at it. That makes me proud.”
Charlie’s father doesn’t play with him, but documents Charlie’s shots with his camera. Charlie usually plays with at least one other golfer. At the beginning of his golf career, this worried him because he couldn’t speak. But soon, not only his golf skills improved, but also his communication skills.
“I can have conversations. I can talk to people. I can enjoy life the way I want,” Charlie said.
Golf for people with different abilities
The Shining Rock Golf Club was a fitting stop for Charlie. This course hosts the Rockstar Invitational, a four-hole golf tournament for children with special needs.
Shining Rock’s head golf pro Mike Stacy came up with the idea along with another employee. Shining Rock is hosting this tournament for the second year now.
Stacy also devotes a lot of time to teaching and runs a weekly clinic for children with varying abilities.
“It fills my heart. We’ve been doing this for three years now. The kids have gotten so good. Some of the kids are so good. It’s unbelievable,” Stacy said.
Charlie even got an impromptu lesson from Stacy where she helped him with his putting stroke.
As for his future goals, Charlie is taking life one step at a time and hopes to one day become competitive.
Charlie added that he wants to “play in the US Adaptive Open. That’s my only goal and that’s what I’m going to work towards.”
Jacob Wycoff
