 Written by: Will Knights of the Fried Egg |
| Event of the year “Everyone’s giddy—that’s the best word I can think of,” Stephanie Parel, Championship Director for the U.S. Adaptive Open said on Monday. “That’s the only way to describe how wonderful this is, the joy of being part of it.” The inaugural U.S. Adaptive Open kicked off on Monday at the Pinehurst Resort. This tournament for golfers with disabilities features both men and women of professional as well as amateur status. Those with physical, sensory, or intellectual impairments can all participate. Ninety-six players between ages 15 and 80 are in attendance. With recent discourse in the golf world centering on the fragmenting of the professional game, the U.S. Adaptive Open brings what matters about golf back into focus. Every participant has found a way to be involved in the game, no matter the challenges they face. “I can’t even explain how grateful I am about this all happening,” Amanda Cunha said after finishing her first round at Pinehurst. Recently, 18-year-old Cunha lost the majority of her vision, going from “fully sighted to legally blind” in one turn of the calendar. “I have only been in the adaptive community for about a year now,” she added, “but for some of these people who have been waiting for this tournament for such a long time, I’m sure it means the world to them.” It’s easy to forget why we love golf when the news cycle is focused on a handful of professionals bathing in Saudi money. But golf is capable of great things, even if they don’t usually show up on TV. “When I’m out here I don’t even worry about my disability,” Larry Celano said. “I don’t even recognize it.” All participants seem thrilled to be a part of the historic event in Pinehurst, but they’re also there to compete. More than a dozen players in attendance carry a handicap of scratch of better. Simon Lee leads the men’s division and Kim Moore tops the women’s division through two rounds. The final round gets underway this morning. (WK) Some U.S. Adaptive Open content A variety of outlets, from the USGA to independent media, have highlighted a range of stories from the U.S. Adaptive Open field. Here are a few of our favorites so far: Jordan Perez caught up with Kurtis Barkley and Conor Stone, who are both competing with scoliosis. Perez also shares her personal journey with her scoliosis diagnosis. Full Story for the Fire Pit Collective Beth Ann Nichols tells the story of Dennis Walters, a former professional who was paralyzed from the waist down in the 1970s. Walters now plays with the help of his golf cart and service dog Gussie. Full Story for Golfweek James Colgan of Golf.com interviewed Amy Bockerstette and her dad Joe following the first round. Bockerstette won the hearts of golf fans back in 2019 when she played the 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale with Gary Woodland. Full-field breakdown from the USGA |
We are all WARRIORS!
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