THE 2015 Queensland Amputee Golf Open teed off at Noosa Springs Golf and Spa Resort on the weekend, attracting a field of 60 amputee golfers from all over Australia.
The competitors fought for the Queensland title in five categories; below knee, above the knee, below elbow, above the elbow and multi-category.
Queensland Amputee Golf Association (QAGA) president and last year’s champion Ben Tullipan said it’s the biggest golf event for amputees in Australia.
“We’ve got golfers playing off handicaps ranging from +1 to 36,” Ben said.
Ben, who lost both legs and suffered 63 per cent burns in the 2002 Bali bombings, was given a five per cent chance of survival.
He was the most severely injured Australian and the person closest to the bomb blast, but Ben is now a golfer after turning to the sport to aid his rehabilitation.
This year’s champion was Ray Piper who is a below-knee amputee after an injury from the Vietnam War.
Ray, who is also the secretary of the Queensland Amputee Golf Association, played with a handicap of 7.
Players were able to use the $40,000 Paragolfer, a golf buggy, wheelchair and swing support system in one that allows users to swing a golf club unimpeded from a supported standing position and to travel around the course.
Tullipan said Empower Golf Australia was looking to place a Paragolfer at a Sunshine Coast Golf Club. The charity will train the chosen club’s golf pro on how to conduct lessons using the purpose-designed wheelchair.
“Empower Golf will handle all the promotion and the elected club will be endorsed by Golf Australia as a disabled-friendly golf course,” Tullipan said.
“We’re also seeking to work with other Sunshine Coast golf courses to co-fund Paragolfers and run disabled initiatives.”
