After Sunshine Coast resident Scott Smith had a work accident in 2005 resulting in the amputation of his right leg, discovering the Queensland Amputee Golf Association (QAGA) changed his life.
“I used to play socially with mates and then I found QAGA and joined up and it’s been great,” he said.
“It’s a very big thing for your personal wellbeing, the social aspect of it as well, getting out and meeting new people, amputees in the same situation as you are and hearing their stories.
“It just inspires you to get out and play.”
Mr Smith has since become President of QAGA, bringing the QAGA Open back to the Mackay Golf Club for the second year in a row in August.
Mayor of Mackay Regional Council Greg Williamson said the 2022 event was the first to be held outside southeast Queensland in the Open’s 18 year history.
“When they first came here last year, they had such a great time that they’re coming back this year,” he said.
The QAGA Open will consist of a charity golf day on Friday, August 11, where social and corporate golfers will be able to play alongside the amputees before the tournament gets underway across August 12 and 13.
“They really do know how to have fun and the golf’s pretty good as well,” Mr Williamson laughed.
Mackay Golf Club President George Jenkins said last year’s event was a success.
“The club staff and our pro shop, they ran a really successful event last year and it’s a testament to that success that QAGA are back here again,” he said.
“It’s always exciting to have these events hosted here.”
Approximately 30 amputees are expected to compete in the 2023 QAGA Open with some coming from as far as Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales, competing alongside local amputees.
The four-person-per-team Ambrose charity golf day is happening on Friday, August 11 from a 12:00pm shotgun start with the tournament to continue over August 12 and 13.
Contact Mackay Golf Club to register for the charity golf day and registrations for the world ranked QAGA Open are open now at golf.org.au.
Mackay Golf Club President George Jenkins, QAGA President Scott Smith, QAGA Treasurer Ken Rowsell and Mackay Regional Council Mayor Greg Williamson. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie
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