Having been born with only one finger and a thumb on his right hand, Max Glauert is hoping he can provide inspiration for people with similar congenital abnormalities by following in the footsteps of his close friend Max Kieffer and graduating from the European Challenge Tour to the big time.
Glauert, who grew up just four doors away from Kieffer in Dusseldorf, enters the 2013 season with high hopes after earning a strong category by making the cut at Qualifying School Final Stage and he made a positive start to the year at the Gujarat Kensville Challenge with a share of 30th place.
It has been a steady climb through the ranks for the 27 year old, one made all the more admirable considering a congenital hand defect which has never deterred him in his dreams of reaching the highest tier of European golf.
His determination and hard work is paying off, and Glauert hopes that continuing success in the professional circuit will make others realise there are no entry barriers when it comes to the game of golf.
“I played more field hockey when I was young,” he said. “That really helped to make my right arm and hand stronger and then I started playing golf when I was 12.
“It all came from the right support from my parents. Sometimes I see other people with a similar deficiency and they are very stiff and weak because they haven’t worked with it or moved it enough.
“When I was young my parents really tried to push me and always gave me something in my hand to work with and that was the key, to move it all the time and build strength. I don’t know any other way now and I just try my best with it.
“I hope I can provide inspiration for people. There are no borders you should ever place on yourself, you have to try your best with what you’ve got.
“I hope it can inspire other people to do the same. If you love something and you really want to do it, you should do it.”
Having seen his close friend and namesake Kieffer develop into one of Germany’s most promising prospects on The European Tour this season, Glauert is now keen to emulate him and make the step up from the Challenge Tour.
“I'm really looking forward to this season because I know I'm up to the standard, and I think it will be a good year,” he said.
“It’s great to see Max doing so well on The European Tour now, for him and also for me because I know I can compete with him. I have beaten him plenty of times and that really helps me mentally.
“When I see what he is doing I know I can do that myself. We always have fun when we play in our home golf club Hubbelrath and we are very good friends.
“When I am at home and he is playing I'm always sitting in front of the live scoring and willing him to win so it’s been really good.
“I’ve known Martin Kaymer (also from Dusseldorf) too since I was 16 and he uses the same gym when he is back. Marcel Siem is also from there so it’s a good surrounding. I don’t know what it is about the city but it’s great.”
