One of Scotland’s leading golfers is determined to show the next generation that a daily battle with diabetes should not halt your sporting dreams.
Hannah McCook, from Nethy Bridge, began playing golf at the age of six. Two years later she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.
The 25-year-old recently turned professional off the back of a third straight Scottish Order of Merit title.
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The University of Stirling graduate continues to juggle her golf commitments with her job as a cleaner at sportscotland national training centre Glenmore Lodge.
Hannah needs to constantly stay on top of her condition out on the course.
But she was determined from a young age not to let diabetes stand in the way of her love for golf, and she is encouraging other young people to aim high too.
She said: “Being a golfer is hard, being a diabetic is hard, but being a diabetic golfer is twice as hard. From yardage book calculations to carbohydrate and insulin calculations, every day can be completely different.
“As golfers, we are always chasing perfection, and I must admit that goes hand in hand with my pursuit of ‘perfect’ blood sugars. Using an insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor has made life simpler, yet still complex, compared to the five daily injections I used to do.
“It’s not only golf equipment I have to organise before a day of practice or competition, there are numerous medical appliances I have to keep at hand. Not to mention an endless supply of snacks. It’s fair to say my bag is always the heaviest and fullest in the group when I’m travelling.
“I fell in love with golf the first time I played the sport. Now it has become my job and it has helped me control my diabetes immensely. I’m determined to inspire younger Scottish golfers and the diabetic community, and I won’t let diabetes stop me chasing my dreams.”
Hannah’s career is going from strength to strength as she lifted the Welsh and Irish Open titles in 2018 in addition to her third straight Scottish Order of Merit title.
Chief Executive of sportscotland, Stewart Harris said: “Hannah’s success on the golf course is testament to her strength of will and determination to improve in the sport she loves.
“The fact that she is doing that while also managing to stay on top of her condition is a terrific inspiration to other young people with diabetes who want to continue to play sport.”
