When you have died five times and baffled medics after being blown apart by a 120mm rocket just being alive is miracle, let alone hitting a golf ball.
However, former serviceman Derek McDonald is doing just that having overcome being hit by the Taliban and undergoing major rehabilitation for his injuries.
McDonald, and six fellow servicemen from across the country, showed the healing powers of golf as they teed up at Close House, host of the ISPS Handa PGA Seniors Championship.
All of them are part of the Battle Back programme which is supported by the PGA’s Golf Buddy scheme.
Following a round on the Lee Westwood Filly course, McDonald went on to play alongside defending champion Santiago Luna in a three-hole competition. The pre-championship event also featured three-time tournament winner Carl Mason and former Ryder Cup captain Mark James who partnered former soldiers Jason Wilkes, who has post-traumatic stress disorder, and Paul Swain, who lost his left arm after his Afghan translator stepped on an IED.
The three teams played the 14th, 17th and 18th of the Lee Westwood Colt course, the former soldiers revelling alongside their illustrious golfing companions.
For the former army men, golf gives them an escape from daily life and provides camaraderie and companionship. McDonald, who spent eight months in a coma and two years learning to walk and talk, reflected on the day.
“Today is awesome,” said the 41 year old. “I couldn’t believe when we were on the tee and they all teed off and hit it so far and so close to each other. When we tee off it’s all over the place.
“We like to invade the whole area rather than one specific spot. But it’s fantastic to play with these guys and for them to give up their free time to come and do something with us is phenomenal and such a pleasure.”
The trio of professionals were impressed by the skills of their playing partners and humbled by their stories.
Mason said: “You never cease to be amazed at what determination and willpower can do. My guy, Paul, who has the one arm, he swung it beautiful and hit it beautiful.
“It was fantastic to watch and as we went round he told me his story and you think he was just very unlucky but have very positive attitudes, which I guess you must have.
“You have a handicap and you can play with anybody and compete. When you are cursing yourself on the course you realise there are much worse things than can happen in life.”
James added: “To see the way cope with their disabilities is inspiring. The difficulties they have are not insurmountable but certainly many and difficult to deal and they do amazing.”
Luna added he was very proud to have be have been involved.
McDonald then revealed the impact golf has had on his life and that of his fellow former soldiers.
“I bring humour to golf as I play it very badly but it gives me the freedom of not having to think of anything,” he said.
“All the stress I may be under I don’t get on the course so it’s an amazing thing for me to do.
“It’s good when all of us injured soldiers play these games because if another injured soldier comes in, us older ones talk to them and help them and give them tips on how to get on with life day to day.”
All of the soldiers recognised the impact of Zeno Gomes, who served in the RAF for 22 years and has spent the past 19 at Headley Court rehabilitating injured service personnel.
He has been involved in Battle Back golf for five years and seen it grow from nothing to 165 players.
Gomes said: “They’ve done their bit for their country and it’s a pleasure to be involved with Battle Back golf. It’s my passion and enjoyed it for the past five years. I just want to say thanks to the PGA and the golf buddy scheme for their support.
“They all have such a laugh and they have all found more mates through golf as we’ve 165 guys on our books and 75 or so have got Golf Buddy coaches. They love it and it gives them release from the pressures they’ve had. They have been through some real tough times and golf has been a release.”
