<img class="" style="float: right;" src="https://opedge.com/Content/OldArticles/images/2005-08_09/today-1.jpg" width="203" height="301" hspace="4" vspace="4" /> Robert C. "Bob" Wilson, who was rendered a bilateral transtibial amputee in a 1974 accident aboard the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk, could be perceived as being a salty, curt, and outspoken character. While these may well be valid and typical traits of a man of his age and life experience, he is also a kind-hearted, generous, dedicated, and extremely modest individual, as witnessed by those who know him through the National Amputee Golf Association (NAGA). Bob, an avid golfer before losing his legs, joined NAGA in 1979, where he has spent 26 seasons both helping and watching the organization grow. Bob has served two terms as the executive director of NAGA, the first from 1986 to 1995, and his current term since 2000. Besides his duties as executive director of NAGA, Bob developed First Swing Golf Clinics several years ago to instruct physical therapists and O&P practitioners, as well as others, in teaching persons with physical challenges the game of golf. The first half of each First Swing Clinic focuses on teaching potential instructors the basics of the game while standing on one leg, sitting in a wheelchair, or using only one hand, giving participants an appreciation for the demands they will face as they teach others. The second half of the clinic is devoted to allowing the newly trained instructors the opportunity to teach persons with physical disabilities while under the guidance of NAGA instructors. Because of the training involved in First Swing Clinics, practitioners and therapists are eligible for continuing education credits from their certifying bodies. <b>Aiding War Amputees</b> Bob humbly admits, "If I can help just one amputee to a better life through participation in golf, that fact alone just makes my day!" In fact, demonstrating his belief in the mission of NAGA and First Swing, Bob has been spending time at the Walter Reed Hospital and Andrews Air Force Base, where last year he held a one-day modified version of First Swing for healthcare personnel providing rehabilitation for the many injured soldiers returning home from Iraq. "We now have hundreds of amputees among the US soldiers coming home from the Iraqi War. I consider it my calling to share with them what I have learned from my experience as an amputee and veteran, as well as the tools that First Swing will provide them in their rehabilitation," he explains. <b>NAGA Provides Inspiration</b> Last year <i>The EDGE</i> reported that NAGA was featured by internationally known corporate trainer David McNally in his latest film, <i>If I Were Brave</i> (September 2004). When asked about his participation in the video, Bob, as is typical, downplayed his role and the value of his onscreen commentary. However, acknowledging the usefulness of such a video, Bob said, "This film can be whatever anyone wants it to be. The stories told by each person appearing in the video are less about the fact that they are all amputees, than it is about their abilities to overcome what appeared to be insurmountable obstacles. I heard one of the golfers sum it up quite well when he said 'If I had had a film like this to view when I lost my leg, so much of my fear would have evaporated and I could have saved so much time.' When you think of the magnitude of his comment, there is nothing more that I can add that would make this video's usefulness across many platforms any clearer." <img class="" style="float: right;" src="https://opedge.com/Content/OldArticles/images/2005-08_09/today-3.jpg" width="284" height="379" hspace="4" vspace="4" /> According to Bob, 180 golfers participated in the 2004 NAGA National Championship at Boulder Creek Golf Club in Las Vegas, Nevada. While these numbers are huge, they are hardly reflective of the number of amputee golfers in the NAGA database. Records show that there are 2,021 US amputee golfers and a little over 600 internationally. Registration for the 2005 57th Annual NAGA National Championship, to be held in conjunction with the 7th Annual Robinson Cup Invitational Matches, closed July 5. The event is slated for August 23-26 at the Bethpage State Park in Farmingdale, New York. Entries were once again capped at 180 golfers. This year NAGA arranged for a block of rooms at the Hilton Long Island/Huntington for players and observers. Practice rounds are being held on Sunday and Monday, August 21-22, with player and NAGA member meetings being held on Sunday evening. <i>For more information about this year's National Championship, contact Marty Ebel, tournament chair, at 978.443.9337; e-mail: <a href="mailto:msebel@yahoo.com">msebel@yahoo.com</a></i> <i>Anyone interested in hosting or attending a First Swing Clinic or in joining NAGA should contact Bob Wilson at 800.633.6242; email: <a href="mailto:b1naga@aol.com">b1naga@aol.com</a>, or visit the website at <a href="https://opedge.com/2794">www.nagagolf.org</a></i>
