Grace Anne Braxton at the U . S .

Adaptive Open

Two Virginians shine in inaugural U . S . Adaptive Open

USGA

by CHRIS LANG

THE FEEL-GOOD GOLF EVENT OF THE SUMMER TOOK PLACE AT PINEHURST RESORT ’ S NO . 6 COURSE IN MID-JULY , as 96 players with varying impairments teed it up in the inaugural U . S . Adaptive Open .

Simon Lee — who grew up with congenital autism developmental disorder — won a duel with Sweden ’ s Felix Norman to capture the overall men ’ s title . On the women ’ s side , Kim Moore — head women ’ s golf coach at Western Michigan University — took the title . She was born without a right foot , a severely clubbed left foot and a slight case of spina bifida . Still , she played four years of college golf at the University of Indianapolis .

Two Virginians ( who were featured in the July-August issue of this magazine ) competed as well . Fredericksburg CC ’ s Grace Anne Braxton finished fourth in the women ’ s division and was the top female player in the intellectual impairment category . She finished two shots clear of Canada ’ s Natasha Stasiuk in that category .

Judi Brush of Belle Haven CC competed in the leg impairment division and was

the oldest player in the field . She finished 17th in the women ’ s division .

Asked in the pre-event press conference about being able to play in a true U . S . Open championship , Braxton said : “ It ' s really fun . It ' s interesting , enjoyable , and I like it a lot . It makes me feel really happy inside , and I ' m just excited about it .”

Afterward , Ken Green , a 63-year-old five-time PGA Tour winner who lost his leg in a 2009 RV accident and has a nerve disorder , said : “ I can ’ t tell you how happy I am that the USGA created this event . I got to meet so many new people , and to watch their joy and their desire to play in a legit national championship , this is as good as it gets . I ’ m ecstatic I could have been here .”

Combo Classic Returns

One event looking to continue to ride the adaptive golf momentum is the Combo Classic , a Fairfax County Park Foundation event that will be held Oct . 7-8 at Twin Lakes Golf Course in Clifton . The Combo Classic features two-player sides , with one player competing with a disability . What started as a small regional tournament has evolved into an East Coast

tradition drawing players from as far away as New York , Florida and Massachusetts .

Additionally , there will be a Combo Classic Adapted Golf Clinic on Oct . 7 at 3 p . m . at Twin Lakes for those who are new to adaptive golf and wish to get in on the action . The clinic is open to all levels of play , and adapted golf equipment will be available .

Scan the QR code for more information on the Combo Classic .

Dormie Network Supporting 100-Hole Hike in Virginia

Josh Stueve was one of several who raised money for Youth on Course Virginia by participating in the 100-Hole Hike in 2021 . The VSGA ’ s team of hikers raised nearly $ 60,000 to subsidize rounds of golf for junior golfers around Virginia .

This year ’ s 100-Hole Hike is scheduled for Monday , Sept . 12 at three different sites — The Hollows Golf Club in Glen