It’s the second time the event has come to Kamloops since its inaugural run in 2019. Craig Dowling, a below-the-knee amputee from Vancouver, was there two years ago at Kamloops Golf Club, and is back again this week.
“To get out here and see a field of close to 50 people for this week, it’s absolutely incredible,” said Dowling who is originally from Ireland. “With everyone’s journey to get here, there is really no telling where you come from or what disability or whatever has happened, and it’s not really the talk of the championship. Everyone is just out there for the love and the passion just to be able to get out there a swing a club. It’s pretty incredible to be a part of.”
The tournament brings together athletes with physical, sensory and intellectual disabilities.
“It just feels good to have a community just like myself,” said Natasha Stasuik, the four-time reigning Champion in Gross Stroke Play. “There are different disabilities, but I’m in the intellectual disability — same with Emma (Bittorf), too — but there is lower limb, upper limb, seated and we do have a visually impaired person here, as well. It’s nice to have a community just like this.”
“It means everything because it helps to get out into the community and to golf with other people from different places,” added Bittorf, the 2024 Net Stableford Champion.
The tournament continues to grow, with 10 more golfers taking part in 2025 than the previous event in Kamloops.
“That’s the best part of the event, and yes, it’s a national championship and everybody is trying to shoot as low as they can but the human side and the perseverance that all the players have with whatever their disability or adaptation may be is really inspiring and motivating,” said Scott Stafford from St. Thomas Ontario.
‘Inspirational’ was the word most used on Tuesday (Aug. 5) morning, as the athletes inspired one and another and everybody in attendance, while putting up scores, in some cases, below par.
“It’s incredible to bring everyone together on one stage,” said Dowling. “And if we could even inspire one person from this event, we are getting some presence, some media out there to be able to generate some awareness of the game, it’s fantastic. It really is. That’s a win for everybody. I think just to be able to get out, swing a club and showcase that no matter your skill level on a course you can get out there and be part of a pretty incredible community that we’ve built.”
The event continues on Wednesday and Thursday with tee times beginning at 7:30 a.m.
