Photographer with a disability Johann Meintjes attended the LIV Golf Tournament and shares his experience
Photographer for the South Africa Sport Photographers with Disabilities (SASPD), Johann Meintjes was able to attend the LIV Golf Tournament from 19 to 22 March as an accredited photographer. Despite initial obstacles, he found staff to be helpful. He shares:
After receiving accreditation as a photographer for the first ever LIV Golf tournament at Steyn City, I began preparing to assess how accessible the golf course would be for a wheelchair user.
Although I had prior experience as a wheelchair photographer at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, this offered limited guidance. A new venue and an unfamiliar sport presented a fresh set of challenges. The one reassuring factor was that the event was being held in South Africa.
My journey began on the day as I collected my accreditation at the media centre. Drawing on 45 years of experience as a wheelchair user, I anticipated potential challenges.
The first obstacle arose with parking. I requested access to a parking space as close as possible to the media centre; however, security personnel initially denied entry, adhering strictly to their instructions.
As I was unaccompanied (my caregiver having remained at home), I requested assistance from a security officer to help me out of my vehicle and to push me to the media centre.
The pathway was covered with coarse sawdust, which made movement difficult, as the small front wheels of my manual wheelchair repeatedly sank into the surface. Upon reaching the media centre, the officer acknowledged the difficulty and assured me that, from the following day, I would be permitted to park near the entrance.
After collecting my accreditation, it became clear that photographing a golf tournament would differ significantly from working behind rugby posts, inside a gymnastics venue, or on an athletics field.
I approached the organisers to request permission for a helper to assist me where necessary. Their response was prompt and highly accommodating. Following a brief consultation, they issued an additional accreditation pass for a helper – an action that reflects the supportive environment in South Africa.
On the first day, my helper and I covered six holes, capturing photographs from tees, fairways, and greens. The pathways were generally well maintained and accessible.
Spectators using wheelchairs were well accommodated, with access to designated parking areas, viewing platforms, and shuttle services via golf carts where required. Certain holes featured designated viewing platforms for wheelchair users; however, the entrances to these areas did not always meet appropriate gradient standards. Despite this, they provided valuable vantage points for photography.
During the event, I was approached by arepresentative responsible for constructing various viewing areas, including the “The Lion’s Den”, “Pride’s Nest”, “Eagle’s View”, and the “Birdie Shack”. She requested feedback on their accessibility.
I offered recommendations regarding railing heights to improve visibility for wheelchair users, as well as guidance on appropriate slope gradients for future development.
From the second to the fourth day, my helper and I became more familiar with the course, and our experience improved significantly.
Overall, my first experience in golf photography with SASPD was successful. I look forward to future opportunities and new challenges as a photographer.
Navigating life from a wheelchair presents daily obstacles. How one chooses to confront and overcome these challenges ultimately shapes one’s experience. While the support of others can make a meaningful difference, maintaining a positive mindset and resilience remains essential in overcoming personal barriers.
