South Jersey Golf Clinic Helps Rehab Veteran Amputees
By Mike Dougherty
PITMAN, N.J. (CBS) -- Veteran amputees teed off in South Jersey today as part of the Next Step golf clinic.
This is what golf is all about. Camaraderie, competition and conversation among friends both old and new.
Gary Woodring with the Philadelphia Office of Veterans Affairs helps run the Next Step clinic, which was created to help introduce veteran amputees to the game and assist in their rehab.
"Golf is one of those things with an amputee that teaches you how to use your prosthetic limb. It teaches you balance and where your body is in space."
Walt Martinez, from Marlton is a Vietnam vet and a life-long athlete.
"Initially, I struggled. It was horrible. I stunk, but because I had been such an athlete, I knew I could do better. The more I played, the more I enjoyed it."
And he says seeing steady improvement in his game keeps him coming back.