THE 1ST ANNUAL BRETT LANG ADAPTIVE GOLF INVITATIONAL
By John Grossi | Photos by Izzy Juarez
OCTOBER 19TH - FREE FOR PUBLIC VIEWING!
A world class adaptive sporting event is coming to Big Rec golf course this October, and the Long Beach public is invited to watch, root on, and expand their perception of what is possible when it comes to overcoming physical disability. Organized by local Roger Gilliam, the field includes many of the world’s best one-armed golfers. Bill Davis, the former world #1 blind golfer will play. So too, Richard Dahl, an amazing paraplegic golfer who uses a “Paramobile” machine to place his body in a standing position that allows him to swing a golf club.
This first of its kind event in Long Beach provides a unique chance to see some of the best golfers in the world - ones who regularly tour around the globe - showcase to our community the incredible results of what can be achieved when individual persistence is fostered by inclusive and supportive organizations.
Honoring An Unsung Hero In Long Beach, Brett Lang
From Skylinks to El Dorado to Big Rec and beyond… over the past 40 years, those who have been around the golf courses of Long Beach know Brett Lang. In his twenties, he was one of the best around… almost gaining his PGA tour card. Today, at age 64, he’s still one of the best out there, despite the fact that he’s in his 20th year battling multiple sclerosis. “MS is my life’s handicap and golf is my therapy,” explains Brett.
When first diagnosed in 2006, his outlook wasn’t nearly so positive. “I went into a deep pool of depression. I was pissed off at everything; I was mad at the world; and I distanced myself from everything and everyone,” says Brett. It took his doctor to point out that his depression had begun to affect other parts of his health, in addition to the MS. Brett ultimately realized he had to reclaim his life.
He decided he would have to relearn how to enjoy his two passions - golf and music - and figure out a way to play piano, guitar, and golf. This despite the fact he could barely walk or lift his left arm. He taught himself to play piano one-handed and eventually relearned guitar too… something he still plays every day. On the golf front, it took years of self-discipline to hit the ball one-handed and straight, but Brett was determined. When he started teaching himself, he had never heard of adaptive golf, nor could he find any tutorials online about how to play the game he loved, one-handed, while battling MS.
A breakthrough came when Brett was introduced to Joe Grohman, a legendary golf teacher (and early coach of Tiger Woods) who was spearheading an “adaptive golf” movement to coach those with disabilities so they could continue playing the game they loved. Brett couldn’t believe he finally found others struggling with the same problems as him. He immediately hit it off with Joe and the two became great friends. Brett has since dedicated his life to coaching adaptive golfers alongside Joe.
Particularly in Long Beach, Brett has worked to grow access to golf for people faced with a diverse range of disabilities, including many who “think they can’t” because he knows they can. From wounded warriors and others served by the VA; to youth who have never even walked but now realize they can golf (using a Paramobile machine); to others with MS like him, Brett inspires those around him, by never letting his disability define him.
When Joe moved to Florida a few years ago, he appointed Brett to take charge of the local Joe Grohman Foundation clinics, which means Brett is at the lead in expanding adaptive golf throughout Southern California.
Follow Brett Lang: https://www.facebook.com/brett.lang.165/ or IG: @livefeedback
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