Andrew Hayes returns to golf after stroke, urges blood pressure checks
Golf pro Andrew Hayes has returned to playing and teaching after a stroke caused by high blood pressure, and now urges people to get checks.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
Andrew Hayes, head professional at Vivary Park Golf Club in Taunton, has made a return to the sport he loves after suffering a stroke. The stroke was caused by high blood pressure and left him temporarily unable to use his right arm and leg. After months of rehabilitation, he is back coaching and playing, and he is using his experience to encourage others to have their blood pressure checked.
Hayes first picked up a golf club as a six-year-old, having lessons at the same club where he now works. He turned his passion into a career and became head professional. But in 2024, he experienced a mini stroke and did not recognise the symptoms. He carried on with daily life, then later suffered a more serious stroke. He described waking up at 3am and realising his life had changed.
"I thought my golfing career was over," he said. "Would I ever swing a golf club again? Would I ever be able to teach? Would I have the memory to be able to teach? But that was when I had to say not, if I can, I will."
Through physio, rehabilitation and determination, Hayes made a remarkable comeback. A colleague said his example could inspire others who have suffered strokes. "The future is positive but you've got to have a positive mental approach to it," he added. A student at the club said Hayes's own story helped her learning.
Now Hayes wants to warn others that high blood pressure can affect anyone. He likened his stroke to a yellow card on a football field, not a red card, meaning he had been given a warning. "I've had my warning and now I've got to make sure everything's right," he said.
His return to the sport he loves is complete. He continues to teach and play at Vivary Park, with his positive mental attitude and a strong message for everyone to check their blood pressure.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | BBC One |
|---|---|
| Andrew Hayes, head professional at Vivary Park Golf Club, had a stroke caused by high blood pressure and is urging people to get their blood pressure checked. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
The channel focused on the personal, human-interest side of Andrew Hayes's story, from his early love of golf to his stroke and recovery. It gave space to his own reflections and comments from colleagues and a student, and ended on a warm, uplifting note. The report also included a local lead-in about Swindon's cultural offering, showing the channel's commitment to regional news beyond this single story.
- “I picked up a stick in the back garden with my dad swinging his golf club and it resembled a golf swing and that was it.”
- “I thought my golfing career was over. Would I ever swing a golf club again? Would I ever be able to teach? Would I have the memory to be able to teach?”
- “I regard this, if I was on a football field I had a yellow card not a straight red so I've had my warning and now I've got to make sure everything's right.”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.