Oklahoma Amputee Golf TournamentAs the sun sets in the Oklahoma sky, a plane pulls up to the gate at Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City. The passengers exit the aircraft one by one, some having traveled thousands of miles across the country, like Cameron Clapp from Pismo Beech, California. As he walks up the ramp to baggage claim, he captures the eye of the other passengers because from below his shorts extend two computerized hydraulic artificial legs. Most people have never seen such technology and more incredible is the way that Cameron uses it. His gait is so good that if he were wearing long pants it would be almost impossible to tell that he was missing both legs above the knees.
Cameron is no stranger to Oklahoma and to traveling. In June he traveled to Oklahoma for the Hanger Endeavor Games athletic competition. Then in July he traveled to Boston for the Amputee Coalition of America's national conference. And finally in August it was to the opposite coast to Portland, Maine for the Casco Bay Challenge where he swam 1.2 miles in the ocean as a member of "Team Bionic", a group of five amputee athletes.
Now he has returned for the 3rd Annual Hanger Oklahoma Amputee Golf Tournament. "I think this is one of the most difficult sports I have attempted since my accident," said Cameron.
In September 2001, in the wake of the terrorist attacks, Cameron and his friends built a candlelight memorial to the victims and their families impacted by aftermath of 9/11. It was getting late and they wanted to see what the memorial looked like from several different perspectives. Cameron walked over and sat on the train tracks to look at what they had created and reflect on the recent events. Not realizing how tired he was, he fell asleep. The next thing he remembers is waking up in the hospital several days later to the shock of having lost both legs above the knees and his right arm almost to the shoulder.
"I remember thinking how am I going to continue on with my life—will I ever be able to walk again? I was right handed and was an artist. I had also just began to compose music on the keyboard, how would I be able to do that with one arm. It is like totally being born again, the life you had before is gone and now you have a whole new life in front of you," said Cameron.
It is amazing to look at all of Cameron's accomplishments in the two years since his accident. Not only has he mastered independent walking but using specially designed prostheses he is able to run the 100 meter dash in less than 19 seconds. He has also learned to drive a car without modifications, using only his prosthetic legs. "I wanted to learn to drive without any special devices so I would be able to drive any car," said Cameron.
Last year Cameron participated in the Challenged Athletes triathlon in La Jolla, California. He met Robin Williams, Jim Carey and Will Farrell, celebrity participants at the event. "You know, good things come from tragic situations. I have met so many incredible people and have participated in athletic events that I didn't even know existed before my accident. It is very hard to go through life missing three limbs, very hard, but it gets a little easier everyday. I would never give up, that's just not me," said Cameron.
Less than a year ago, he was fit with the Hanger Complete System, the most advanced prostheses available. It is made up of the patented ComfortFlex Socket and a computerized knee unit. "It has made a world of difference having my new prosthetics. I can get around so much better, especially on a golf course where there are a lot of hills and uneven ground. I fall way less than I did before. I wear my legs everyday, all day. It's just become a part of who I am and how I get around now. I haven't been in a wheelchair for two years now, and I don't plan on getting in one again anytime soon. I hope other double above knee amputees that see me will see that it is possible to walk and be active with prosthetics and take on that challenge too. Right after my accident I was told that I would never walk again, except maybe for my graduation and on my wedding day. We bailed on that guy," said Cameron.
Now Cameron has taken on a new challenge. The game of golf. "I never played golf before I lost my limbs so I think it is good that I don't have anything to compare it too," said Cameron. His twin brother works for a golf club on the island of Kauai and during a recent trip, they played nine holes one afternoon. "It was awesome. I hit some good shots but we really didn't keep score. We were just out there for fun," Cameron remembers.
Cameron's mom, Berny, heard about the Oklahoma Amputee Golf Tournament when they were in Oklahoma for the Hanger Endeavor Games for Athletes with Physical Disabilities in June. "One of the guys at Hanger said that Cameron should come back for the golf tournament. When I told Cameron that I had signed him up he was a little apprehensive to say the least," Berny said.
"I had only played a few times and I know I am not nearly as good as the other players. I wanted to wait a few years before I played in a tournament. I didn't want to be the guy holding all of the players up because I play so slow," Cameron recalls. But with some encouragement and some time on the practice range, Cameron decided to play.
The first day of the tournament was a scramble. This was nice because it took the pressure off of having to hit a good shot every time. "The scramble was a lot of fun. It gave me more time on the course to practice and to prepare for the next two days of the tournament," said Cameron.
The morning of the tournament was perfect. The temperature was a cool 65 degrees and the wind was calm. Cameron was paired with his friend Dima Sitnik, who ironically is also missing both legs from being run over by a train. "Cameron has a lot of guts to come out and play in a tournament this soon. I blows me away to watch him balance on two above knee legs and swing the golf club with only his left arm," said Dima.
Cameron steps up to the first tee and smacks his shot about 160 yards down the center of the fairway. "I guess I am getting better," he said to the other golfers as he made his way back to the cart. "I was totally nervous but it was great to hit such a good first shot. The thing that I like about this tournament is the maximum on any hole is double par. That helps take some of the pressure off. But I still know it will be a long day," said Cameron.
As Cameron's group leaves the 18th green, it is obvious that he put his all into the round today. "Well, I got all double pars today and I am tired. It was fun though. It was really hard on some of the holes to stand on a hill and balance and swing. I only fell a couple of times but its all good. At least I am out there and having fun. My goal for tomorrow is to get less than a double par on at least one hole," said Cameron.
The next morning was as perfect as the day before. Dew covered the grass and the crisp fall air was almost cool enough for a jacket. Again, Cameron and his group start the final round. First hole, double par, second hole, double par, third hole, double par, it looked like he was in for another round of double par. But on the par three fifth hole, Cameron hit a great tee shot just short of the green. His second shot was still short of the putting surface. His third shot went past the hole by about ten feet. His forth shot was about three feet short. An there it was, his first opportunity to score less than double par.
"I looked at the ball and the slope of the green toward the hole. The greens had been fast all day but this one was slower than all the rest. I stepped up to the ball and concentrated on a smooth stroke and just like you see on television, it went straight at the hole and dropped in. It wasn't pretty but it was a five and it was less than double par. Yes, I reached my goal," Cameron recalls.
The rest of the round was pretty slow, but ever the trooper, Cameron stuck with it and didn't pull out. He played every hole. It was a long five hours but you could tell by the smile on his face that he enjoyed it.
Matt Smith has been playing golf for several years but is still relatively new to the game. He isn't new to competition though, having qualified to represent the United States at the 2000 Paralympic Games in Sydney, Australia. "I met Cameron two years ago at the Hanger Endeavor Games and he blew me away from the start. Here he was missing three limbs and running his heart out on the track. I was in his group for the final round and I've never seen such determination. He tried his best every shot. I am glad I got to play the final round with him, he's an inspiration to me," said Matt.
"I know I'll do better next year. I am going to start practicing and work on my game so I will be better prepared. Golf is a fun game but it can be very frustrating at the same time. But, I enjoy being in the outdoors and golf is a perfect game for that," said Cameron.
Cameron's incredible story has been featured in various newspaper articles and on television including the CNN news network. You can find out more information about Cameron via his website at www.cameronclapp.com.
The Oklahoma Amputee Golf Tournament is an annual event played at Coffee Creek Golf Club in Edmond, Oklahoma. The 2004 Tournament will be played in September 2004.
