Jim McCabe, Power Fades
When you earned the right to tee it up in a U.S. Open where the eventual champion was Jack Nicklaus; when you got picked up hitchhiking by none other than Byron Nelson who capped off the journey by offering a range session (true as it is, it’s a story for another day); and when you turned pro at the age of 57 not to play but to teach . . . well, you’re in possession of true golf soul and have the privilege to share perspective.
 Bruce Chalas has felt the spirit of golf for more than 50 years — or at least he thought he had. Then he met Jordan Thomas and a host of other adaptive golfers. |
Which is why Bruce Chalas’ text served as a reminder to the magic of golf.
“This tournament has people who will do anything to be able to play golf,” wrote the man whose passionate career in golf includes 14 appearances in U.S Golf Association tournaments and more than 20 years coaching collegians.
“It’s a fantastic sight to see. All these players love golf.”
Deep breath, wide smile, warm torrents.
The inaugural U.S. Adaptive Open in Chalas’ adopted home of Pinehurst, N.C., overwhelmed him and when he extended an invitation to speak with a participant, Jordan Thomas, the timing could not have been more perfect.
If ever we needed to hear the story of a man whose foundation boasts this simple mission – “Every kid deserves access to what they need to be a kid.” – it is at this moment in golf time.
The victim of a boating accident at age 16 in which both his legs were amputated below the knees, Jordan Thomas figures he never spent a minute feeling sorry for himself because barely out of surgery he was consumed with another train of thought.
“It never occurred to me as even a possibility that I’d never play golf again. I knew I was going to have access.”
Feeling blessed to be the son of doctors – Liz and Vic Thomas are neonatal physicians in Nashville – “I knew I had the luxury and access to (prostheses),” said Jordan. “I figured I’d go to the store and pick out a pair.”
Eventually, he did, but as he recovered in a Miami hospital back in 2005, Thomas discovered that his legs would cost about $20,000. Bit of a shock, but then came the outrage. He learned that prostheses are deemed “not medically necessary” by insurance companies in many states.
“So, many children who need the prostheses (for different functions like running or golf or swimming) cannot get them. I was furious. It was unacceptable to me. It didn’t make sense. What can be more ‘medically necessary’ than a kid being able to play games?”
The genesis of the Jordan Thomas Foundation (jordanthomasfoundation.org) was hatched while he was still in that Miami hospital. When he was missing two legs! And he was just 16!
Digest that, folks, then appreciate with total awe.
The fact that 17 years later Jordan Thomas is still an advocate for children and families living with limb losses and for insurance fairness. The Jason Thomas Foundation currently sponsors 83 children in 20 states and three countries and his goal remains unchanged from the days when he sat in that hospital room. “I want to do something long-lasting and impactful.”
A berth in the inaugural U.S. Adaptive Open was never in his crystal ball, but when the USGA unveiled plans for this unique event, Thomas was like so many others who love golf and play it despite disabilities that make it incredibly challenging.
“I’m just so thrilled and proud of what the USGA has done,” said Thomas, who is competing as one of seven men in the multiple limb amputee flight. “I never envisioned I’d ever be in a USGA championship.”
He’s in the field at Pinehurst first and foremost because of a relentless spirit. He’s there because of great parents, wonderful doctors, and a supporting cast of friends and foundation supporters. But Jordan Thomas is also there because a huge majority of people in the golf community are intensely committed to widening the playing fields, opening up avenues for diversity and inclusion, and avidly pushing agendas proclaiming that the game belongs to all.
“We get hung up watching the greatest players in the world,” said Thomas. “But it’s such a broad, vast universe and I salute the USGA for (doing this).”
In advance of his trip to Pinehurst, a mutual friend suggested Thomas look up Bruce Chalas, explaining that he’s one of those golfers who walks the walk; he loves golf and has a passion to bring more people into the game. Spot on, Thomas has learned, and they’ve hit it off beautifully.
But as much as Thomas has enjoyed the pressure of competitive golf (with rounds of 76-74 he is well in front in his flight) for the first time since junior golf, Chalas has reveled in the sights, the sounds, the emotions of these inspiring group of golfers.
“I spoke with Ken Green for a while (Monday),” said Chalas, referring to the five-time PGA Tour player from Connecticut who lost his right leg in an RV accident in 2009 that also killed his brother, his girlfriend, and his dog.
“He just wants to play golf every day.”
If Chalas sounds inspired, he is. But guess what, so is Thomas, who concedes that he looks around the range and sees the vision impaired, the intellectual impaired, the seated players “and I watch them in awe,” he said. “They have to have so much resiliency, so much perseverance.”
They also have a love of the game that is equal to, or possibly surpasses, yours and mine. That is the greatest aspect to this U.S. Adaptive Open and it is the takeaway that Thomas will embrace. “I’m not competing for money and I won’t be able to,” he said. “But I compete because of the relationships created. It’s why I love the game.”
Many thanks to fellow Golf Nut Jan Beljan for sharing this story with us. – HN