Inspirational Golfers Draw Attention to Tournament’s Mission

Some of the world’s top golfers are in Florida this week for the Professional Golfers’ Association of America Tour’s last official money tournament of the year. Sponsored by the Children’s Miracle Network, the event also raises money for the network’s mission - funding 170 children’s hospitals around the United States and saving and improving the lives of children. Dave Maier profiles two golfers who personify that mission.

At first glance, playing several days of grueling, high-level competitive golf may seem like an unusual method of rehabilitation for the recipient of a heart transplant. But for 28-year-old Erik Compton, it’s becoming a habit… or at least a trademark. This week, Compton is among 128 golfers teeing up at the PGA Tour’s Children’s Miracle Network Classic outside Orlando, Florida.

It’s not often that a golfer’s life experience so closely reflects the mission of a tournament sponsor. But in this case, Compton knows what sick kids can accomplish when they receive the right care at the right time.

“Obviously, it’s a very fitting event,” he observes, “considering everything that I’ve been through, I kind of know what kids are going through because I’ve been there.”

Where Compton had been was on an operating table, where he received not one but two life-saving heart transplants. The first came in 1992 at age 12, after he was diagnosed with heart disease. Then - following a major heart attack 14 months ago - Compton received his second transplant in May and was out playing competitive golf again by October.

In between the transplants, Compton was a national junior golf champion and a two-time all-American at the University of Georgia. Although he played a number of other sports, Compton says golf seemed the most natural fit for his competitive nature.

“Golf was an individual sport,” he explains, adding that a lot of the kids his age were stronger than he was. “And being able to shoot low scores with the health condition I had, it was a way for me to prove that I was stronger than some of the other kids.”

Also on hand this week is 16-year-old blind golfer Matt Cooper, who has lived with nearly total vision loss since he had most of a brain tumor surgically removed at age 3.

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Seve Ballesteros vows to fight brain tumor

After a golf career full of miraculous shots — including one from a parking lot during his first British Open victory — Seve Ballesteros was preparing for the “hardest challenge” of his life Sunday after announcing he has a brain tumor.

The 51-year-old Ballesteros, who retired last year, was set to undergo a biopsy Tuesday before doctors determine how to proceed.

It was unknown whether the tumor was benign or malignant.

“Throughout my career I have been among the best at overcoming challenges on the golf course,” the five-time major winner said in a statement released by Madrid’s La Paz hospital.

“Now I want to be the best confronting the hardest challenge of my life, with all my strength, counting on all of you who are sending me encouraging messages.”

Related Posts:

• Seve Ballesteros has brain tumor (Los Angeles Times)
• Seve Ballesteros: a man who transcends his sport (Times Online)
• Career Stats - PGA Tour Online

Teenager becomes first female to win tour event

Zakiya Randall, 17-Year-Old teen golf star, fondly known by fans as “Z” makes history and becomes the only and youngest female to win on the Golf Channel Georgia Tour.  After already qualifying for the Georgia Golf Channel Championship by placing in the Top Percentile on the most difficult level of play on the Golf Tour, she goes on to win the final tournament of the season on September 7, 2008 at Arbor Springs Golf & Resort Club also known as the Coweta Club in Newnan, Georgia.

“I am excited to be able to win on one of the most challenging golf courses in Georgia against some of the best Adult-Men Amateur players on the Georgia Golf Tour,” Randall said. “I have been working on some swing mechanics for further improvements so this win on the Tour in the Final Tournament of the season is really special.”

The field included approximately 50 of some of the best adult-men amateur tour players in Georgia. She now joins an elite list of amateur level golfers that has also qualified to play at the national level on the Golf Channel Tour.

Zakiya has been in Sports Illustrated, EBONY Magazine, on Public International Radio, The Golf Channel TV Show, nominated as a finalist for outstanding talents and have been featured in numerous magazines, newspapers and on-line journals around the globe.

Randall took up golf at the age of 10 and after winning a series of tennis tournaments she was immediately successful in golf, winning ‘Player of the Year’ Honors.