Disability golf has made a significant difference in my life. Four years ago, my brother encouraged me to sign up for the Ontario Open. At the time, I was struggling deeply with one of my lifelong disabilities. While you might look at me and not see someone with a disability—and growing up around only able-bodied people, I didn’t see myself that way either—I had been silently dealing with challenges that made many things, including golf, very difficult. Travelling by plane was out of the question, and even attending local tournaments in Ontario felt overwhelming.
About a week before my first round, my father passed away. My entire family was away at the time, and I was ready to withdraw. But my brother returned from his trip and convinced me to play. In that round, I was paired with Kurtis Barkley, the defending champion and a top-10-ranked golfer on the G4D Tour. Somehow, I shot my best-ever score—a 66, closing with birdie-eagle, with thoughts of my dad guiding that final putt.
After my first tee shot, Kurtis asked, “Have you heard about the G4D Tour?” He went on to explain how disability golf is growing, with the DP World Tour now hosting 8 to 10 events annually that showcase some of the best adaptive golfers in the world. I already knew I had surgery coming up to address the disability I’d been managing most of my life, and despite the grief I was carrying, I felt a sense of renewed opportunity.
My second-place finishes in both the Ontario and Canadian championships quickly pushed me into the top 30. My goal was to crack the top 10 and earn an invitation to play on the G4D Tour—something I’d long dreamed of, just to see how I’d measure up against the world’s best.
That fall, the R&A and the DP World Tour announced the inaugural G4D Open. I registered as soon as I could. My surgery was in December 2022, and while the disability is now more manageable, I hadn’t travelled in a long time. I kept the trip short—just a quick flight to the tournament and back.
The tournament was a great success. I finished in the top 15 and made new friends during both practice and competition. While I didn’t earn the high finish I’d hoped for or break into the top 10, I was proud of how I played and grateful for the sense of belonging I felt among fellow adaptive golfers.
From these experiences, I’ve learned that playing alongside others with disabilities has given me permission to take the time I need before every shot. Living with multiple invisible disabilities, I’ve always tried not to get in anyone’s way—not to let my hearing loss, hand dexterity challenges, or other conditions slow things down. During golf tournaments, that mindset would often cause me to rush, leading to mistakes. Disability golf has helped me realize it’s okay to take the time and space I need to perform my best.
Golf Ontario is proud to share a guest blog from Chris Willis—an adaptive golfer whose story speaks to the transformative impact of the game.
This week, Willis blogs from Woburn Golf Club in United Kingdom as he competes in the 2025 G4D Open, sharing his thoughts on what this event—and this path—has meant to him.
