Disability golf champion Brad Smith has passionately called for the sport to be included in future Paralympic Games. Smith, who recently secured his second consecutive victory at the English Open for Golfers with a Disability, believes the sport has the potential to shine on the Paralympic stage.

A Growing Movement

Smith emphasized the growing community of players, stating, "There's definitely enough players to make it into the Paralympics. One day, it should be in. When? No one knows. It's frustrating but there's nothing we can do about it." Despite repeated efforts, disability golf has yet to be included in the Paralympics. In 2021, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) noted that Para-golf did not meet all the requirements for inclusion in the 2024 Paris Games. A subsequent bid for the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics was also rejected.

A Personal Journey

Smith's journey to becoming a disability golf champion is both inspiring and challenging. At the age of 22, he had his right leg amputated due to a rare form of bone cancer. "I lost my leg to a rare form of bone cancer and I had to learn to walk again," he shared. Transitioning to disability golf was no easy feat. "It was a struggle. Getting back into golf with one leg, there was a lot of bad shots and a lot of trial and error," he admitted.

A Champion's Perspective

Now 27, Smith serves as the golf professional at the Royal Cromer course in Norfolk. Winning back-to-back English Open titles has been a dream come true for him. "To win the first time around was one of my goals, to win it again the next year was a very, very good feeling," he said. Smith also noted how his perspective on the sport has evolved since his amputation. "When I had two legs I was quite an angry golfer. If I had a bad hole, I'd be angry for the next hole. Now I don't get anywhere near as angry as I used to. By the next shot it's completely forgotten," he reflected.

The Future of Disability Golf

Smith is optimistic about the future of disability golf. With over 50 tournaments organized annually by England Golf, the sport is gaining momentum. "The future is looking bright for disability golf - growing the game, getting kids into it and promoting it on a bigger scale," he said. Smith's advocacy and achievements continue to inspire many, and his call for Paralympic inclusion remains a beacon of hope for the disability golf community.