Professional Edinburgh golfer who survived a stroke while on the course will tackle Resolution Run for charity

A professional golfer who survived a stroke last year will take part in his first ever Resolution Run for the Stroke Association on March 1.

Neil Colquhoun, 55, wants to ‘give something back’ after the kindness and support he received during his recovery.

Mr Colquhoun was on the golf course when his stroke happened in June 2019.

He suddenly found that he couldn’t string his words together or write down what he wanted to say.

A former Captain of the club recognised the medical emergency and Mr Colquhoun was rushed straight to hospital.

He is now recovering well, but still feels the effect of the stroke on his speech, writing, and hand-eye coordination when playing golf.

“It keeps gradually getting better but it takes a long time,” he said.

“I have to slow everything down.”

Mr Colquhoun had two TIAs or ‘mini strokes’ before the stroke in June, and said he wishes he had gone to the doctor.

“I was busy, and especially as a man we’re very guilty of keeping ourselves to ourselves,” he said.

“I also felt that I didn’t want to waste people’s time.”

Mr Colquhoun is partly doing the Resolution Run to raise awareness and encourage others to visit the doctor sooner than he did.

He also wants to ‘give something back’ as people were so helpful and supportive of him.

The run itself will benefit Mr Colquhoun’s recovery, and give him ‘something to aim for’.

He has gone back to playing golf and took part in a tournament he had qualified for before his stroke, which his team won.

Mr Colquhoun is also back at work at the pro shop he runs at Merchants of Edinburgh Golf Club.

While his wife was able to cover for him for a few months, as he is self-employed Mr Colquhoun went back to work sooner than he would have liked.

He now finds himself fatigued and suffering from low moods and lack of motivation and self-confidence in the wake of the stroke.

He hopes that training for the run will give him motivation and a sense of achievement.

Already in training for the run on March 1, his aim is to make it around at least one 5km circuit.

This will be his first ever running event, and he has partly been inspired by his sister, who regularly takes part in extreme running events.

Kirsty Scott, Fundraising Manager at the Stroke Association in Scotland said: “Stroke recovery is a marathon not a sprint. And each recovery is as individual as each survivor.

"That’s why we’re encouraging people to join our Resolution Run in Edinburgh and raise vital funds for the Stroke Association.

“Life after stroke is different for us all, but there is one way we can stand together.

"The Resolution Run is the perfect opportunity to mark a milestone in your own stroke recovery, show your support for a friend or family member affected by stroke, or in memory of a loved one.

"You can run, walk or cheer and choose your distance to suit you. It’s more than a run, it’s a resolution to help rebuild lives after stroke.”