Prison worker Tom Nawar credits indoor golf for his “healing” journey

A Geelong prison worker says working in corrections for 17 years took a toll on his mental health. It was indoor golf that helped to bring him back. Here’s how.

Tom Nawar credits X-Golf with helping him through a deeply challenging period. Picture: Alison Wynd

A Geelong prison worker credits indoor golf for helping him through his darkest times and bringing him back from "breaking point”.

Tom Nawar said after working in a prison for nearly two decades, he had learnt to normalise a lot of the “heavy” things he’d seen.

“We see stuff that’s not normal, like any first responders would,” he said.

“And we make it normal, I’d say, ‘it’s nothing I’ll just keep moving forward’, pushing feelings aside.

“But it’s like physical health for blokes, often you know you probably should go see a doctor but you don’t.”

Mr Nawar said he had begun to suppress lots of the painful, traumatic moments of life – at work and elsewhere – but after 15 years, it started to take its toll on his mental health.

“I thought I was coping, until I wasn’t,” he said.

“I hit a breaking point and had to face some difficult truths.

That was when, five years ago, he found an indoor golf community at X-Golf in Geelong.

“It gave me a non-judgmental outlet, kept me active and reconnected me with people,” he said.

“You realise, you’re not the only one, reaching out can only benefit.

“After we feel comfortable with each other we can talk about things that have made us feel not so great, and share common ground.”

He said it offered him a unique, pressure-free environment to let down his guard and build friendships with other men.

Alongside therapy, it was an important part of staying well, he said.

“In light of everything, getting professional help was the biggest contributor, but along with X-Golf” he said

“Golf for me is my release, find that thing – it might be pool or bowling.

“It’s that kind of quiet support that makes a real difference for men overall.”

Tom Nawar credits X-Golf with helping him through a deeply challenging period. Picture: Alison Wynd

Mr Nawar is now a regular at Monday night’s X-League.

The past week was Men’s Health Week and the community of indoor golfers at X-Golf donated $2 from every beer sold to raise funds and awareness for men’s mental and physical wellbeing.

Co-owner Cody Craven said he understand the importance of this first-hand.

“X-Golf opened a gateway to better health for me personally,” he said.

“It’s become a safe space, a stress reliever, and a way for me and many other men to connect.”

Tom Nawar shares a beer with X-Golf owner Cody Crave. Picture: Alison Wynd

Mr Craven said the “pints for a purpose” initiative was part of X-Golf Geelong’s commitment to providing space for mateship and mental health.

He said they hoped continue to break down barriers and cultivate a supportive community.

Originally published as Prison worker Tom Nawar credits indoor golf for his “healing” journey