The United States Golf Association hosted the inaugural United States Adaptive Open at Pinehurst this past July and featured male and female golfers in various impairment categories: arm impairment, leg impairment, multiple limb amputee, vision impairment, intellectual impairment, neurological impairment, seated players and short stature.
A total of 96 golfers were invited to compete in the national tournament, and four of those reside in Tennessee – Jordan Thomas, Luke Carroll, Brandon Rowland and Alex Fourie.
Thomas, who lost both of his legs in a boating accident at the age of 16, won the multiple limb amputee division and finished fifth in the overall standings.
The Nashville native used his Jordan Thomas Foundation to support kids who have lost limbs, and the Foundation was part of the Tennessee Golf Foundation’s Simmons Bank Open for the Snedeker Foundation earlier this year.
“Participating in the U.S. Adaptive Open was a life-changing experience that reaffirmed my mission to serve not only the pediatric limb loss community, but the golf of golf,” says Thomas. “My accident took a lot from me, but in the process of healing, it gave me so much more. My hope is that all people living with disabilities can experience some of the same joy golf has given me.”
The U.S. Adaptive Open will return to Pinehurst in 2023.
