GOLF: Amputee celebrates tenth hole-in-one in five years

The 38-year-old amputee from Fritwell, near Bicester, reached double figures at the 194-yard par three fifth hole at his home club, Cherwell Edge.

Gardiner, who lost his right leg 12 years ago after a nasty fall, said: “I played a five-iron, which had never been hit before, and I had just removed the plastic from the head before taking the shot – needless to say, I think the club works.

“I think the secret to my hole-in-one scoring is that I play far too much golf.”

The feat saw the one-handicapper net a watch from BOSS, who are presenting all players who have a hole-inone in competition.

Gardiner’s achievements are magnified by the fact he only took up golf in 2010.

He said: “It was only five years ago when my mate persuaded me to go down to the range.

“I watched him hit some balls and decided to have a go and that was it.”

Gardiner is now ranked second in the European Disabled Golf Association (EDGA) and is keen to raise awareness about the sport.

He said: “I want to show people what you can achieve.

“My aim is to turn disabled golf into a mainstream sport.

“The standard of some of the play is absolutely immense.”

Gardiner will join Europe’s disabled golfing elite at the second EDGA Algarve Open at Pestana Vila Sol in November, when the winner of the 2015 EDGA Premier Series Order of Merit will be crowned.

• LAURA Watkins’s incredible run as Bicester club champion continued as she lifted the ladies crown for the 11th time in a row.

She was again the class act of the field, carding a gross score of 156 after 36 holes.

Lorna Godwin took the ladies’ nett competition with 134, while Tim Horn (gross, 156) and Ellis Reid (nett, 140) won the men’s titles.

• Bicester’s club champions (from left) Lorna Godwin, Laura Watkins, Ellis Reid and Tim Horn

CLUB RESULTS

BICESTER

Bradbury Cup & July Stableford: 1 V Shepherd 40pts, 2 L Watkins 38, 3 L Blackburn 36.