Whilst a lot of socialising was done, the reason for us getting together was to play golf, first a 2-day event at Cobram/Barooga for the 2026 NSW Amputee Open, and then a 3-day event at Yarrawonga/Mulwala for the 2026 Australian Amputee Open. Lots of laughter, fun and great conversations occurred, on and off the course. Occasional sledging/comic relief was heard, when those putts just rolled by, or the ball found the trees… again! These annual events attract amputees and people with limb difference, from all over Australia and overseas. This year player ages ranged from 12 to 80+ with golf handicaps ranging from single figures to 48. Whilst many of the ‘regulars’ were there, it was fabulous to see new faces, who have now joined our amputee golf family. A non-amputee event is also held, where friends, partners and family members are encouraged to play golf and fight out for the prestigious ‘Normie Cup.’
The Gross champion is highly contested every event. It gives our elite players the opportunity to pit their skills against each other to determine who is the best amputee golfer in Australia. The Nett champion, on the other hand, is contested by all golfers in the field and this is where your handicap can be really advantageous as it is taken off your overall score. It creates a level playing field among everyone. In addition, there is a State of Origin competition where teams of four are secretly chosen from each of the states – Victoria, NSW, QLD and Odd Balls (the others), and their scores added together. This year history was made when the Odd Balls won!
Whilst golf is the focus, there are always amazing partners and friends who are integral to many of our players’ participation. Colleen and David attended their first event 4 years ago in Ballina. David had played golf prior to his leg being amputated but didn’t think it was an option until his rehab team at Ballina told him about Amputee golf. This inspired him to work even harder in rehab with the goal of getting back on the golf course and playing in an amputee tournament, which he did 8 months later. Currently on a handicap of … he tries to play 3 times a week – 2 nine holes and 1 eighteen holes. He found this week tough on his body but with the wonderful support of his wife, Colleen, and the fun and smiles around him he managed to play all games.
“I’ve met some great people in this golf community– it’s good for my mental health – there are people that are worse off than me, I get to see how courageous they are, I get to see how determined they are, and how much bloody fun they can have.”
Colleen isn’t interested in playing golf but thoroughly enjoys being on the course and supporting David and seeing the positive impact on his wellbeing and how golf acts as a distraction to the ‘black dog’.
Linda and her husband Mark, an above knee amputee are integral to the running of NSW and Australian events. She loves going out on the course raking bunkers, holding flags, laughing with players and providing much needed sustenance to everyone, such as red lolly snakes. James won the inaugural Normie trophy this year in the Aus Open. His friendship with Steve Prior has had him involved with amputee golf for many years including being on the board for AGNSW and being responsible for their social media. Merrilee caddies for her husband Chris, who is one of our one-armed golfers – she has been invaluable in helping Colleen understand the finer art of caddying.
Jason started playing golf because he saw Mike Rolls (double amputee) on Facebook. He had never played a round of golf before but wanted to give it a go. As a person with limb difference, he started playing one handed until Mike put him in contact with Steve Prior, one of our elite ‘armies’ who currently plays off a handicap of 2.9. Steve sent him photos of his prosthetic arm and how it enabled him to grip a club. Jason took these photos to his prosthetist who created his first golf-specific arm so he could grip the club with both hands. Now he is a regular at all these events where discussions and comparisons are front and centre when the armies get together.
For Jason, the best thing about Amputee golf is the camaraderie. “There’s a lot of joking, fun, and everyone is so at ease. When I first started there were 3 arm amputees – now there are a cast of thousand armies – everyone is so different, but everyone has something important to share.”
As Chris Young recently posted on Facebook “I never fail to be inspired by my fellow amputees, many of whom have been through the most horrific traumas and yet have managed to come out the other side with a sense of humour and the will to conquer their setbacks and play some pretty good golf.” For Chris, the golf was made even more special having both his brothers attend. Tim has just got back into golf and played admirably in the Normies division whilst Jon is chief photographer and captured fabulous images of players that are used to promote Amputee Golf both in Australia and worldwide.
Joey is one of our newest competitors and currently plays without a prosthetic. After a range of surgeries, he is waiting for his stump to be ready for a prosthesis. But like many amputees, he has found his own unique way to participate. Not only does he have youth on his side, but he has the most incredible balance and strength to be able to stabilise and hit an almighty good ball. The NSW Open was his first event. Whilst he also played the first day of the Australian Open, he found the pressure on his good leg problematic when getting in and out of bunkers and playing in the sand. This is a lesson many of us have learned the hard way – our good limbs needs to be taken care of and it’s okay to play only as much as you can, where you can, without injury, and choose to take an unplayable ball if you feel your ball has landed in an uncomfortable or unsafe position.
Our 2 youngest competitors have been warmly embraced by our amputee community. Andreas (12) has limb difference and hits the ball with one arm. He travelled from Hong Kong with his parents who have established the Para Golf Association of Hong Kong. His mum, Edwina played in the NSW Amputee Open in the Normie division. Archer (18) is a below knee amputee from Queensland, who was born with limb difference and had his leg amputated at an early age. His first competition was 3 years ago at an Australian Amputee Open in Tweed Heads, when he had a handicap over 30. Now, he plays off single figures. We’re looking forward to following his golfing journey and seeing him compete in the Paralympics, when golf is included.
I’m Kath, currently the only female amputee playing in our events. People might think it gets lonely out on the course as the only woman, that is far from the truth. I’m surrounded by lovely, genuine people who share my love of golf and engagement with each other. Sometimes the muscles that hurt the most at the end of a game are my face muscles from so much laughing and smiling! Involvement in this community has encouraged me to stay fit and active, fuel my competitive juices, keep my headspace buoyant, and also enabled me to have the confidence to travel independently again – something I never thought I’d do after my accident.
The great thing about golf is it’s inherently inclusive given that you have a golf handicap that enables you to play with anyone and be competitive. You can also use motorised transport to access the course as well as modified prosthetics to grip clubs. No matter what your age, ability or mobility level is all amputees can participate. If you are interested in joining us, contact Amputee Golf Australia amputeegolfaustralia@gmail.com and they will put you in contact with your state association.
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