Amputees get in the swing of it
THE main challenge playing golf with a missing limb is ball control, says Tete Tahapeehi.
The 52-year-old, who lost his right arm in a motorcycle accident in 1990, claimed the most-improved title at the New Zealand Amputee Golf Open.
A field of 20 golfers competed in the tournament held over the past two days at Manor Park Golf Sanctuary in Lower Hutt.
The Christchurch retail manager started playing golf three years ago for the Waimari Beach golf club in Christchurch and said he was inspired by his family.
‘‘They play golf and I got in to it for them – they play pretty bad and I do too.’’
Mr Tahapeehi played the open for the first time last year in Christchurch and said that, although he did not record any personal highlights this year, it was a ‘‘fantastic’’ tournament.
He has a 36 handicap and said his main challenge playing with a missing limb was ball control.
Marty Clark, of Nelson, took out the best net score for an above-the-knee amputee, with only one out-of-bounds shot. ‘‘I played pretty consistent but not quite as well as I would have liked – but almost every golfer would say that.’’
Aucklander Darron Reti took the overall title with a score of 79.
‘‘That’s a good score for anyone who plays golf,’’ tournament organiser Jason Eade said.