Royal Dornoch installs defibrillators across entire golf buggy fleet

Royal Dornoch now has eight defibrillators on site.

Royal Dornoch has become the first golf club in the world to install life-saving defibrillators across its fleet of golf buggies.

Our Drive for Defibs campaign is brought to you in association with Motocaddy

The Scottish club had previously installed a defibrillator on the wall of its clubhouse and halfway hut but has now fitted all five golf buggies with first aid kits and a defibrillator. Another now travels with a ‘roving ranger’ on the course.

The investment has been partly funded by David Sullivan and ex-England footballer John Salako, from Code Blue CPR, who have been campaigning to make golf courses heart safe after losing four friends to cardiac arrests.

RELATED: What is the Drive for Defibs campaign?

Sullivan, 60, has spent £30,000 of his own money on training and life-saving equipment having also taken part in a 74-day, 1100-mile fundraising challenge, which saw him hit 250,000 golf balls from John O’Groats to Lands’ End, teaching CPR skills to 30,000 people en route.   

“Our mission is to build an army of lifesavers on the course and to really hammer home the importance of defibrillators and learning CPR,” says Sullivan, whose work has helped to save 12 lives so far.

“It’s really heartening to see that a lot more golf clubs are purchasing a defibrillator for their clubhouse, but one isn’t really enough. We know that every minute without defibrillation reduces the chance of survival by 10%, so the next step now is for clubs to start installing them in golf buggies and around the course.”

Neil Hampton, general manager at Royal Dornoch, is hopeful that other golf clubs will now embrace the concept, especially as figures show that only 8% of people who go into a cardiac arrest outside of a hospital survive.

“It’s easy to kick something like this down the road or spend the money elsewhere, but you can’t put a price on someone’s life,” says Hampton. “We’ve put these defenses in place now because we would rather be prepared for the worst than reacting to it.”

Code Blue CPR is now offering online CPR and defibrillator training sessions for as little as £9.95. You can also find out more about our Drive for Defibs campaign by clicking here.

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– Meet the man who inspired our Drive for Defibs campaign
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About the author

Michael Catling – Features Editor

Michael Catling is Today’s Golfer‘s Features Editor and an award-winning journalist who specializes in golf’s Majors and Tours, including DP World, PGA, LPGA, and LIV.

Michael joined Today’s Golfer in 2016 and has traveled the world to attend the game’s biggest events and secure exclusive interviews with dozens of Major champions, including Jack Nicklaus, Jordan Spieth, Tom Watson, Greg Norman, Gary Player, and Justin Thomas.

A former member of Ufford Park and Burghley Park, Michael has been playing golf since he was 11 and currently plays off a handicap of 10.

Away from golf he’s a keen amateur chef and has his own healthy recipes website. He also loves playing squash, going to the gym, and following Chelsea FC.

Michael uses a Ping G driver, Ping G 3-wood, Ping G Crossover 3-iron, Ping G Series irons (4-PW), Ping Glide wedges (52º, 56º, 60º), TaylorMade MySpider Tour Putter, and Srixon AD333 golf ball.

Get in touch with Michael via email and follow him on Twitter.