VILLAGE OF PINEHURST, North Carolina – Grace Anne Braxton hit the first tee shot at the inaugural U.S. Adaptive Open. The 50-year-old is a member of the 2022 class of the Virginia State Golf Association and became involved in the Special Olympics at age 8.
Braxton is competing in the Intellectual Impairment category. There are eight categories in all and a total of 96 players in the field.
Players compete from four separate yardages spanning from 4,700 to 6,500 yards. The championship is using a maximum score format. Maximum score has been set at double par for each hole.
Take a look at some of the competitors at Pinehurst.
Practice on the putting green
The scene on the putting green this morning as players prepare for a practice round at the U.S. Adaptive Open at Pinehurst No. 6. You won’t want to miss what takes place here over the next three days. pic.twitter.com/aihekZPQoE
— Beth Ann Nichols (@GolfweekNichols) July 17, 2022
The scene on the putting green at the U.S. Adaptive Open at Pinehurst No. 6.
Catching up with Dennis Walters
World Golf Hall of Fame member Dennis Walters gave a tour of the SoloRider cart he’ll be using at the U.S. Adaptive Open. pic.twitter.com/oU1Stgrqvx
— Beth Ann Nichols (@GolfweekNichols) July 17, 2022
The cart Dennis Walters will use at the U.S. Adaptive Open.
Oldest player in the field
This is Judi Brush. At 80, she’s the oldest player in the field. Judi was born with a left club foot that resulted in an amputation below the knee. pic.twitter.com/xr8HJTdJ0E
— Beth Ann Nichols (@GolfweekNichols) July 18, 2022
Judi Brush, 80, was born with a left club foot that resulted in an amputation below the knee.
Inspired by Tiger
This is Joakim Bjorkman, 32, of Sweden, who is competing in the short stature category. He fell in love with golf after watching Tiger at the 2000 @TheOpen at St. Andrews. pic.twitter.com/prTw2g75xu
— Beth Ann Nichols (@GolfweekNichols) July 18, 2022
Joakim Bjorkman fell in love with golf after watching Tiger at the 2000 Open Championship at St. Andrews.
From college football to USGA event
Jake Olson, 25, won the 2019 U.S. Blind Golf Association national championship. In 2017, while at USC, he made history as the first blind athlete to compete in an NCAA football game. pic.twitter.com/joMTVUdl9o
— Beth Ann Nichols (@GolfweekNichols) July 18, 2022
Jake Olson once played football at USC.
The first tee shot
Grace Anne Braxton hits the first shot of the championship. The 50-year-old became involved in the Special Olympics at age 8 and is a member of the Virginia State Golf Association HOF. pic.twitter.com/1mcHDzsa81
— Beth Ann Nichols (@GolfweekNichols) July 18, 2022
Grace Anne Braxton, 50, hits the first shot of the 2022 championship.
This PGA pro has a +2.8 handicap
Chris Biggins, 30, was born with cerebral palsy. The PGA pro works at the CC of Birmingham and carries a +2.8 handicap. pic.twitter.com/YPm7bYKvSn
— Beth Ann Nichols (@GolfweekNichols) July 18, 2022
Chris Biggins, 30, was born with cerebral palsy.
Double lower limb amputee
Erik Bowen, 42, is a double lower limb amputee. Lost his feet due to strep and sepsis complications. Hit a beauty here. pic.twitter.com/kp9Dqr3Epv
— Beth Ann Nichols (@GolfweekNichols) July 18, 2022
Erik Bowen, 42, is a double lower limb amputee.
Raising awareness and money
A few months ago I wrote about a PGA pro who was raising funds for the Ukrainian orphanage where he grew up. Here’s Alex Fourie teeing off just now at the U.S. Adaptive Open. pic.twitter.com/l2emBs5JEB
— Beth Ann Nichols (@GolfweekNichols) July 18, 2022
Alex Fourie teeing off at the U.S. Adaptive Open.
Former Division I college player
Jack Bonifant was accidentally dropped down a flight of stairs at 6 weeks old. Doctors said he’d never be able to do any activities that required bi-lateral use of his right and left side. He played college golf at James Madison and plays off a 2 handicap. pic.twitter.com/VunCijtbo1
— Beth Ann Nichols (@GolfweekNichols) July 18, 2022
Jack Bonifant played college golf at James Madison and plays off a 2 handicap.
57 surgeries later....
Brian Bemis lost his right leg to a rare bone cancer called Ewing's Sarcoma. He’s had had 57 surgeries and lost the use of a prosthetic 10 years ago. He uses crutches and plays off a 13-handicap. pic.twitter.com/99M235HBC9
— Beth Ann Nichols (@GolfweekNichols) July 18, 2022
Brian Bemis uses crutches and plays off a 13-handicap.
Five-time winner on PGA Tour
Ken Green won five times on the PGA Tour. In 2009, he lost his right leg in an RV accident. pic.twitter.com/2yEGh8o9In
— Beth Ann Nichols (@GolfweekNichols) July 18, 2022
Ken Green has five PGA Tour wins:
- 1985 Buick Open
- 1986 The International
- 1988 Greater Milwaukee Open, Canadian Open
- 1989 K-Mart Greater Greensboro Open
One of 15 with a handicap of 0 or better
Kurtis Barkley of Canada is one of 15 players in the field who play off a handicap of 0 or better. Barkley was born with severe scoliosis and is competing in the short stature category. pic.twitter.com/ryOloYgP7D
— Beth Ann Nichols (@GolfweekNichols) July 18, 2022
