Andreas Brandenberger describes himself as “the boy with short wings and really long clubs”. The line provides a champion of its sense of humor, but it only hints that it has been overcome.
Brandenberger, 39, was born in Greece with a rare condition called Phokomelia that left it with the upper limbs truncated. Located in an orphanage as a baby, he was adopted by a family from Kansas and grew up in a small town outside Lawrence. Athletic from an early age, Brandenberger was determined not to allow his differences to prevent him. He played the same sports that his friends engaged: basketball, football, baseball, football. At high school, he was named to the entire state wrestling team.
Golf, however, was not on his radar.
“I knew it Tiger Woods It was there in the background, “Blandengerger says.” But this is about it. “
ha The moment came to college at the University of Kansas. One day while the channel surfing, Brandenberger captured a TV segment about a short -weapon golf player, called George Utley, discussing all the things he could and could not do. Utley, came out, couldn’t tie his shoes, but he can quench a ball down the center of a street.
“I thought,” I can tie my shoes, and this guy looks like me, “says Brandenberger.” I decided that I would also be a golf player. “
A local club maker helped Brandenberger start with prototype sticks, with a long six -legged with a pool at the bottom of the butt Brandenberger could secure under his arm. With his first shaking in the range, Brandenberger says, “The club went farther than the ball.”
That was then.
Today, Brandenberger plays with updated clubs he designed in collaboration with PingAnd he ranks among the positions in his favorite sport. This weekend, he will fly to Maryland from his home in San Diego to compete in We adaptive openHis first appearance at this event.
Founded in 2022, the tournament is the newest addition to the USA National Championship. In her short life, she has been an emblem of involvement and a source of inspiration, open to amateurs and professionals of all ages with physical and intellectual injuries who possess a WR4GD (world rankings).
The year edition, set for July 7-9 at Woodmont Country Club in Rockville, MD, will have 96 players, competing in eight categories of damage, with general titles of men and women also in line. Playerdo player on the field is an elite talent, and every name comes with a convincing story.
For more on Brandenberger’s story, watch the video above. To follow the action in 2025 US Adaptive OpenKeep an eye in this space.
