One-armed golfers deserve respect

Press, 17 January 1979, Page 16

One-armed golfers deserve respect

By

BOB SCHUMACHER

The Kaiapoi Golf Club has every reason to be proud of two of its older members, Larry Devlin and Ron Cassidy. They are not the best golfers in the club, but they have done exceptionally well considering the handicaps that confront them. Both men have the use of only one arm: Mr Devlin (pictured in the background) now a sprightly 87 years, had his left arm amputated below the elbow in a machinery accident in 1906; Mr Cas-

sidy, in his sixties, lost his right arm at the age of 16.

However, they are among the most enthusiastic competitors at Kaiapoi and have not been without success. Only recently, Mr Devlin, a prominent Rangiora businessman, shot 85 in a club tournament to earn 41 stableford points “and I failed to score on one of the easiest holes.”

A 19-handicapper, Mr Devlin has been a member at Kaiapoi for 17 years. He is also a member of both the Canterbury and North Canterbury Veterans’ Associations.

He has served as president of the Kaiapoi club and there is an annual pairs competition for the Larry Devlin Trophy. He is one of few golfers who can boast that he can play a round in less strokes than his age — a feat that he has done on numerous occasions.

One of his major and most memorable golfing successes was in 1971. At the New Zealand Veterans’ championships, he won the Karapiro Rose Bowl after four days of match play. All his opponents were younger, had two

arms, and were on higher handicaps. Before losing his arm, Mr Cassidy’s main sport-

ing pursuits were tennis I and cricket. Even after his accident he continued to drive a five ton truck and lift timber. Mr Cassidy tried golf for the first time while convalescing at Hanmer Springs and soon discovered that his disability could be overcome to some degree. He plays on a 23 handicap now but ■ has played to a 12 handi- j cap, his best round being ; 79 at Kaiapoi. It is little wonder that i Mr Devlin and Mr Cassidy j have won the respect and I admiration of all golfers j at Kaiapoi and further | afield.