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One-armed golfer encourages others at UNCW

Reported by Lynda Figueredo - bio|email
Posted by Debra Worley - email

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) - The game of golf is difficult enough, but what if you had an extra challenge?

Bradley Clayton is a golf instructor at UNCW, but he has just one arm to grip the club.

He teaches others how to adapt to students with special needs, just as he has had to adapt by re-learning the simplest of things like tying your shoe.

The students in the UNCW Accessible Golf Class gathered around Clayton on the course as he demonstrated the importance of balance and the bottom of a swing.

The students are part of a recreational therapy program that aims at teaching the disabled how to effectively adapt to physical activities.

Students in the class watched in amazement when Clayton told the story of how he lost his arm.  Clayton said he was building a teaching center and got his arm caught in a machine.

After his accident, the golf instructor designed an adaptive tool that allows him to continue to enjoy the greens and share his passion for golf with others.

After just a few swings and some encouraging words and guidance, a student who can barely lift his arm has already improved - and that is the reason Clayton continues to tee-off.

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