First veteran amputee to play in Web.com Tour’s Boise Open
For the first time in the history of the Web.com Tour, a military veteran amputee will compete in an event. Iraq veteran Chad Pfeifer has been given a sponsor’s exemption into the Albertsons Boise Open, played July 9-12.
The 33-year-old retired U.S. Army corporal and Idaho native lost his left leg above the knee in April 2007 when a roadside bomb exploded and blew up a vehicle in which he and other soldiers were traveling.
“It’s an amazing opportunity for me and my golf career, but at the same time, it’s nice to get my story out there for other wounded soldiers or people with disabilities,” Pfeifer said. “Hopefully I can inspire them and they can see that anything is possible as long as they keep going.”
Pfeifer took up golf during his recovery process at the urging of fellow soldier Christian Bagge, who lost both of his legs in Iraq, while rehabilitating at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. Less than a year after Pfeifer suffered his injury, he played in his first 18-hole round.
His progress has been astounding. He won the 2011 National Amputee Golf Championship and finished fifth at last July’s American Century Championship in Lake Tahoe. Pfeifer was also a contestant on the last season of Golf Channel’s “The Big Break” series. Now living in Arizona, Pfeifer has also competed on the Gateway Tour and eGolf Tour — mini-tours known to produce PGA Tour-grade talent.
Pfeifer intends to earn a full-time spot on the Web.com Tour this fall by going through the tour’s Q-school.
Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.
