A group of war-wounded servicemen have commemorated the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War with a very special round of golf on the Old Course in St Andrews.
Eight veterans from the UK and Canada spent the day together on the world’s most famous fairways thanks to St Andrews Legacy, an organisation that uses golf as a form of therapy for wounded war veterans.
Founder Graham Proctor said: “The soldiers are amputees or have undergone multiple surgeries and are veterans of some of the most intense and difficult conflicts of recent times, including in former Yugoslavia where the First World War broke out a century ago.
“It was fantastic to see so many locals and visitors around the 18th supporting the lads when they finished.”
The British troops have all served with the Grenadier Guards.
Among them is Lance Corporal Scott Blaney, who lost his right leg and had his right elbow shattered in a 2007 landmine explosion in Afghanistan. But he has stared down the physical challenges he faces with astonishing acts of endurance.
LCpl Blaney has run marathons, swum the English Channel, and earlier this year was part of a four-man team that rowed 3,000 miles across the Atlantic.
“The army teaches you to improvise, adapt and overcome,” he said.
Leading the Canadian contingent was Major Jay Feyko, who suffered blindness in one eye and severe shrapnel wounds in a suicide bomb attack in Afghanistan.
He now heads the Soldier On programme in Canada, assisting ill and injured forces personnel to recover, rehabilitate and reintegrate through sport and recreation.
Major Feyko endorsed the aims of St Andrews Legacy, which has also arranged three events this summer for 20 veterans from the US and Australia.
“These opportunities change the lives of ill and injured people who really need the support as they recover from either visible or non-visible injuries,” he said.
Lieutenant Riad Byne has just been discharged from the Canadian military after 23 years’ service, including tours in the former Yugoslavia and Afghanistan. He has had serious back injuries and survived cancer treatment.
“Golf restored my life it has become my sanctuary,” he said. “I lost a lot of myself.
“I can play and be competitive with myself and with my peers. This trip will be a source of strength for me for my whole life.”
Leading the Brits was Major Bernie Broad. He has been playing golf seriously for a year or so, since losing his right leg. His left leg was amputated after an explosion in Afghanistan in 2009.
While being treated at Hadley Court, Major Broad attended Battle Back Golf nights and found he enjoyed playing the sport and could compete with anyone.
The former champion boxer said: “I have four pairs of legs my octopus legs and the golf legs are my favourites.
“The game is fair. It makes the blood flow, the heart pound and the mind twist. Every shot is so concentrated, so focused.”
The soldiers bonded well during a week of activities and Lieutenant Byne said: “I’ve worked with so many different militaries and there’s one thing that’s common: we all get on as if we’re brothers.”