From struggling to move his thumb to resuming a full working week, a keen member of Taunton’s golfing community has shared his journey back to the sport.
Andrew Hayes, 51, is head professional at Vivary Golf and Adventure Centre, which is run by Everyone Active in partnership with Somerset Council.
Andrew suffered a stroke in December 2024 after experiencing high blood pressure and a transient ischaemic attack, commonly known as a mini-stroke, days earlier.
The stroke resulted in a loss of movement down Andrew’s right side and led to six days in hospital, followed by months of rehabilitation.
Andrew, who became a professional golfer in 1991 and qualified through the Professional Golf Association system in 1995, began his recovery with exercises aimed at restoring movement in his hand, arm and leg.
He said: “I lost the whole of my right side and it took five days for me to just move my thumb and five weeks to be able to write.
“I lost about two inches of my brain and the specialist said that I had a 51-year-old body with a brain of a two-day-old child.”
“They would put coins in front of me and asked me to pick them off the table.”
He added: “I had to do as much as I could to get the signals from my brain to my hands, legs and feet again.
“I had to completely relearn everything that part of my brain used to do.”
“Recovering from a stroke is exhausting, both physically and especially mentally, but I feel incredibly fortunate to have come this far.”
Andrew says after the stroke it took him 5 days to move his thumb, and five weeks to learn how to write (Image: Everyone Active)
Andrew returned to work gradually in March 2025, initially working two-hour shifts before building back to a 40-hour working week over 12 weeks.
His role at Vivary includes teaching, club repairs, playing with members, managing the shop and overseeing the day-to-day running of the golf course.
He estimates he has recovered around 85 to 90 per cent of his former physical ability, while saying his mental capability remains at about 60 per cent as his rehabilitation continues.
Andrew credits the support of his wife Clare, colleagues, members and employer with helping him return to the sport and workplace he loves.
He said: “The members at Vivary Golf and Adventure Centre are a wonderful bunch and have been there for me throughout everything.
“Their humour and friendship have been a big part of my recovery.
“One of them said that I should have had a stroke 30 years ago because this is the best he’s ever seen my backswing.”
Andrew is sharing his experience during National Golf Month in the hope that it will encourage others facing major health setbacks to return to the activities they enjoy.
Mark Washington, contract manager at Everyone Active, said: “Andrew is a brilliant inspiration to all of us at Vivary Golf and Adventure Centre in Taunton.
“His positivity and attitude following such a challenging situation is staggering and we’re very proud to have him as a colleague and to have supported him on his journey back to work.
“We’re thrilled to see him continue what he does best on the golf course by sharing his knowledge and passion all while demonstrating how a person can break down barriers to participating in sport with sheer determination.”