“A Disability is Not an Inability.”
Women’s Division
Western Michigan University Head Women’s Golf Coach, Kim Moore won the inaugural U.S. Adaptive Women’s Open at Pinehurst last month. Moore was born with a clubbed left foot and spina bifida, but that did not prevent her from playing collegiate golf for the University of Indianapolis.
She took a four-shot lead into the third and final round, but stretched her lead to eight shots.
“I knew if I just kept making pars, it would be tough to catch me, because birdies were hard to get out there. It’s humbling to be a part of golf history.”
Moore posted rounds of 76-80-76 on Pinehurst No. 6 for the victory over Ryanne Jackson, from St. Petersburg, Florida.
Moore said,
“I just think what has been seen this week around the world, around the country, is going to elevate the amputee community, the adaptive community and it’s pretty cool to see.”
Moore has been at Western Michigan since 2020 after spending seven years at Saint Mary’s College, where the Belles earned trips to the NCAA Division III Championships, in 2017 and again in 2018.
Back 9 Report talked with Kim Moore about her historic win and coaching golf at Western Michigan. https://youtu.be/myn7LT9xYUQ
Moore coached one All-American, two All-Region selections and 14 First Team All-MIAA selections during her time at Saint Mary’s. Three of her student-athletes also went on to win the league MV, plus her players have accumulated 14 Academic All-Americans awards.
Men’s Division
The Men’s Division Champion, Korean Simon Seungmin Lee is autistic and was in a competitive battle with Felix Norrman, of Sweden. Both were tied for the lead, at three-under par, after 54 holes of regulation play.
Lee had held a two-stroke lead after the second round, but Norrman, who suffers from tuberous sclerosis, a neurological condition, erased the deficit to gain the tie.
Lee birdied the first hole of a two-hole aggregate playoff to take a one up lead. Norrman, forced to play aggressively, bogeyed the final hole, while Lee made a comfortable par to seal the win.
Lee is a remarkable story. He became the first golfer with a developmental disability to gain conditional status on the Korean PGA Tour in 2017. At the age of 20, he was assessed to having the communication skills of a 10-year-old.
Lee’s symptoms were first diagnosed early in his childhood and he has attributed golf as,
“The light of the world to me and a way to communicate with people.”
In all, 96 golfers from 29 states and 11 countries competed in the eight impairment categories.
Former PGA Tour Professional Ken Green, who lost his leg in an accident in 2009 placed sixth overall and second in the leg impairment category said,
“I got to meet so many new people and to watch their joy and the desire to play in a legit national championship. This is as good as it gets. I’m ecstatic that I could be here.”
The first U.S. Adaptive Open Championship for both men and women was a total success. The USGA has scored a home run with this new venture and should be commended for getting this done. Kudos also to Pinehurst for hosting this important golf championship.
To learn more about the U.S. Adaptive Golf Championship visit USGA.org
