Champion one-armed golfer vows to bounce back

A one-armed golfer from Teesdale travelled to Ireland to defend his world title.

Stephen Hutchinson, from Barnard Castle, won the One-armed Golf World Open Championship last summer and attempted to defend his crown at Lee Valley Golf and Country Club, in Cork.

Unfortunately, he finished eighth overall, which is still a fine achievement given he was competing against the finest one-armed golfers from around the world.

Stephen, who works at Blackwell Grange Golf Club, in Darlington, and is a member at Barnard Castle GC, said he still enjoyed his time in Ireland, despite some inclement weather.

“It was a tough course, but it was the same for everybody,” he told the Mercury. “I just didn’t play as well as I did last year, unfortunately.

“It was a stronger field than last year and a really good competition and I actually played better when the weather was at its worst!

“But even if you don’t win, you don’t mind because that just means one of your best mates is winning. It’s very family orientated, we all play with one arm, we all like a laugh and being together.”

Stephen, who lost the use of his arm in a motorcycle accident in 2005, is already planning to take part in next year’s One-armed Golf World Open Championship.

“It’s taking place just outside Stoke on Trent so it will be easier to get to and hopefully I’ll be able to get a better result than this year,” he said.