Adaptive golfer follows his heart into game

PINEHURST, NORTH CAROLINA | Brandon Canesi remembers the moment when he realized how other people see him on the golf course.

Canesi was playing in his first tournament for golfers with disabilities in 2018 and, looking around, his world view changed.

“I was so blown away watching everyone else with their limitations. It was eye-opening for me. This is how people see me,” said Canesi, 31, who was born with no hands and went on to become a teaching pro and competitive player.

“I see myself as just a golfer.”

Brandon Canesi (left) with his father and caddie Sonny Canesi.

At the second U.S. Adaptive Open at Pinehurst No. 6 this week, Canesi is one of 96 players – 75 men, 21 women – competing with various physical challenges.

There are eight categories (arm impairment, intellectual impairment, leg impairment, multiple limb amputee, neurological impairment, seated players, short stature and vision impairment), and there will be overall men’s and ...