Melissa Noonan

Golf and I have always had a strange relationship. I first picked up a set of clubs about 9 years ago after taking up an offer for lessons at the local club. Three lessons later I nearly played my first game of 9 holes. I manged to fluke a birdie on the 7 th hole and was so excited I couldn’t help making a racquet. This was met with much distain from a course official and I was told “we don't Wow Wow Wow here”. Very well I thought this game is not for me and left the course in disgust. I'm not the quietest person by nature.

So about 3 years ago one of our members approached me and suggested that Limbs 4 Life run a Golf 'Come and Try' day. Here we go again I thought. Having lost a leg I figured that the chances of getting a birdie were slim so we sought feedback from our membership base and the response was over whelming. November '06 saw 22 amputees attend the 9 Hole event and BBQ at Albert Park Lake.

A week or so prior to our event I decided that I should have a hit or two so that I wouldn't look totally ridiculous in front of everyone. I can tell you that the game which seemed to come relatively easy to me those years prior was now much more difficult. Never being a quitter or let anything beat me I decided that I wanted to master my frustrations and somehow (and I don't say that lightly) get better.

So with much angst, excitement and nervous energy I decided to attend my first tournament; having only played my first round of 18 holes two weeks prior to the event. The Queensland Amputee Golf Open was terrific. It was great to mix and meet with a new group of amputees. I was amazed at how well many of them played. I did however spent much time on my backside in bunkers and entertained those I played with trying to extract myself from these hazardous giant sand pits. The tournament came to an end and I was successful at achieving the NAGA, Don Bradman or more nicely put the Encouragement Award.

Since competing at my first tournament I have purchased a new set of clubs (I was playing with my Dad's Ben Hogan 25 year old clubs), lots of lessons and joined a golf club where I play competition every Saturday. I'm not sure that my skills have improved much (although I am told by others they have) but either way I love it. I'm completely addicted to the game and will continue to play and participate for as long as I can; or at least until I can crack the 100 on 18 holes which currently would indicate some years yet.

This year I played at my first Australian Open in Canberra and once again in the Queensland Amputee Open in April and hope to attend a number of other tournaments this year. I'm working on accepting the NAGA award at each tournament before moving up in the world to something more credible.

There are lot's of people to thank for their words of wisdom, encouragement and on going golfing tips. I will also (together with our social & events committee) look forward to organising and participating in the 2 nd Victorian Amputee Championship in November this year. This of course will follow the South Australian Amputee Open to be held at Adelaide Shores from the 4th to the 7th November

Melissa Noonan

Executive Officer – New Golfer
Limbs 4 Life Inc.

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