Icexpress Progressive Prosthetics

Seniors glory for Randpark’s Clive Edwards

Johannesburg – Local leg amputee, Clive Edwards, accomplished his goal of winning the Senior’s division at the Nedbank SA Disabled Golf Open this week. Edwards went into the last round, played at the Randpark Golf Club on Wednesday, with a comfortable eleven point lead. He ended the tournament with a 97 off his 23 handicap to take the seniors title, as well as second place in his handicap division.

“I am thrilled with my results and am especially pleased to win the seniors title at Randpark, which happens to be my home club and where I play as part of a seniors group twice a week. I battled with the first nine in both the first and second rounds and then, on the final day, it just swung around. Having come into the open with low expectations but with high hopes, I decided to just enjoy it and play my game.”

Edwards, who has been playing as amputee for the last nine of his 30 years as a golfer, sites the second nine holes of the last round as a low point; “Golf is a funny game. It has a lot to do with one’s ability to remain focused and I think on that last nine the nerves got to me a little which caused me to make a few silly mistakes. I have, however, been fortunate enough to play in the Open for the last five years and always end in the medals so, all things taken into account I am thrilled with my performance.”

About the future stars of disabled golf, (such as Iglin Grobbelaar; who successfully defended his Open title from 19 year old Daniel Slabbert), Edwards comments; “It is encouraging to see so many young players coming up in the ranks. Watching these youngsters play is absolutely amazing and it indicates that there is a long future for disabled golf in South Africa. The Nedbank Open has, in the five years of my involvement, just become better and better in terms of its professionalism and golfing standard. It is regarded as one of the best disabled golf tournaments in the world”.

Edwards, who is a part of a growing number of amputee sportsmen affiliated to prosthetic pioneers Icexpress Progressive Prosthetics, formed part of the Gauteng team selected to compete at SADGA’s inaugural Provincial Challenge at the Arabella Golf Club last year. His next goal is to make the team again this year. “The provincial days are important since the best ten players are selected from these to compete at the Provincial Challenge scheduled for December. I aim to secure my place in the team. I really enjoy the competitive spirit of the Challenge and look forward to helping Gauteng take its revenge over last year’s victors; Western Province”.