Annie Hayes- Rising to the Challenge  By Rich Robinson

March 1, 2014

"Golf was one of the things that gave me a goal. At first, just basic life skills like getting dressed, were challenges. Yet, golf offered special goals. I became determined to play again."

• Rising to the challenge -

  By Rich Robinson

  Golf is a simple game that offers the most complex challenge, to transcend your own personal expectations and limitations. What fellow competitors do has no real effect on you. The ball sits stationary on the ground it is motionless until you make it move. It has no capacity to influence it's future destination, it will only respond to your skill and intention. The method and techniques of controlling the ball are varied in style, tempo, power, efficiency such that effectiveness and thus success is measured not by how you prevail in making a par or better score, but by the stark reality that you do. Golf soars beyond the limitation of tournament formats, scoring systems, aerodynamic design and material technology. It is personal.Golf seems unique in challenging the mind, body and spirit of those who seek mastery of the game and of themselves. This is why those who demonstare the ability to meet such challenges intrigue us. I have been privileged to meet several of the world's great players, but among the list, Annie Hayes sits at the pinnicle throne of inspiration.

  
    Annie’s golf swing has evolved. A few years ago her back swing exemplified balance and grace with a wide high arc that created power potential. The weakest point in her swing was at impact. She tended to overemphasize her arm motion in an apparent effort to hit the ball hard. A versatile athlete giving extra effort was Annie’s natural reaction. For example, her enthusiasm to test herself often found her mountain biking over rough and hilly terrain that strained her legs, lungs, and heart and will to endure. On one such ride, she came to a bridge. Crossing it changed her life. The tires of her bike jammed between two misplaced boards. She was thrown off the bridge, landing on a fallen tree and suffering paralyzing spinal injury.  Suddenly golfing terms like impact and transition had a devastating tone. Yet, golf was to remain a key component of Annie’s life. 

    
  “Golf was one of the things that gave me a goal. At first, just basic life skills, like getting dressed, were challenges. Yet, golf offered special goals. I became determined to play again.”  Annie found new ways to play. She acquired a SoloRider golf cart, designed to carry clubs, navigate the terrain of a golf course, and its adjustable seat provides support while the rider makes the golf swing. 

  
  
    Soon Annie was not only developing a new game, she was also becoming an inspiration for all who play the game and many who never considered it a possibility.  Her championship attitude has been critical to her achievement.  “Life is like golf. Nothing is perfect. We all make mistakes and unfortunate things happen unexpectedly. But, you cannot dwell on the bad shot. You have to move on to the next one and give it your best. A golf course is full of hazards. There are ponds, traps, bunkers, trees, boundaries and obstacles to be avoided the best we can. We can’t always avoid them. But, we can overcome their effect” Annie’s approach lands in a shallow greenside bunker. Her SoloRider golf cart can navigate the sand. She takes her club from her bag mounted on the front of the cart, adjusts her cart seat and blasts out onto the green.  The cart leaves little trace of its presence. In fact, the pressure has no greater effect than that of a 200-pound man walking on a green.  She drives onto the green lines up her putt, and with a single stroke confirms that hazards are meant to be overcome.

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