WALLINGFORD -- The weather has turned, the grass is green, and that means it's time for the Gaylord Hospital Open.
The annual tournament at the Farms Golf Club in Wallingford brings adaptive golfing to the green. Golfers with physical disabilities from all over the area come to play for a day of competition and camaraderie.
"I love just coming out here and doing this, playing with these guys," said Todd Blosser, from Meriden, who lost his leg 10 years ago after an infection from an operation.
The event is put on by Gaylord Hospital's Sports Association and it's designed to empower adaptive athletes of all skill levels.
"Some golfers are amputees, have spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, stroke patients," said Katie Joly, the program manager from the Sports Association, of the different disabilities the golfers overcome to hit a birdie. "These guys are out here and they can hit the ball, as good or better than what we would called an 'able-bodied golfer.'"
After hitting the fairway, John Redfield, a right leg amputee who lost his leg in a motorcycle crash 25 years ago added, "My main message is that you can do anything you did before, don't let disabilities define you."
To find out more about Gaylord Hospital's Sport Associations adaptive programs click here.
