Judi Brush made the switch from tennis to golf after a foot ailment that led to the eventual amputation of her left leg .
“ In a lot of ways , golf helped me to get well because I wanted to play golf again and to continue working in my garden and I hoped to be active with grandchildren .”
— Judi Brush
“ She routinely plays with the guys and has been playing against them for the last 20 years , faring quite well ,” added Jeffrey . “ Grace Anne has become an iconic figure in Virginia golf .”
Jeffrey watched Braxton go from being a raw beginner trying to learn basic golf skills in Virginia ’ s Special Olympics program to advancing into the program ’ s Level 5 category to compete independently in tournaments .
“ It ’ s really about abilities , not disabilities ,” Jeffrey said . “ I think she loves and understands her sport and just wants people to see her as a person who can be great on the golf course , or the work place , or great in the community .”
Braxton is also a two-time U . S . Disabled Open women ’ s champion — including her division win at the 2019 championship held in Midlothian . She will be inducted into the Virginia Golf Hall of Fame in October — Lanny Wadkins will emcee the ceremony — and will become the first inductee with a disability .
“ I ’ ve never played Pinehurst , but a lot of times , I do well on new courses ,” said Braxton , who works in food service at the University of Mary Washington and spends her summers playing golf . “ I have good expectations , especially with my brother [ Bill Braxton ] helping me as my caddie .”
Her father , Harrison Braxton , Jr ., got her into the game when she decided to focus exclusively on golf . She currently holds a handicap index of 7 and matched her career-best score of 73 in May while playing with her dad .
Brush was a tennis player for about 20 years before a foot ailment forced her to switch to golf around age 40 . She underwent an ankle replacement and there were ensuing complications , including a severe infection , followed by gangrene .
Grace Anne Braxton will play Pinehurst for the first time at the U . S . Adaptive Open .
ADAM SCHILPP ; SPECIAL OLYMPICS VIRGINIA
28 V IRGINIA G OLFER | J ULY / A UGUST 2022
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