Tommy : The Incredible

“ I know life is what you make it, and I have tried to make the best of mine “, these are the words of a man, whose life has been as incredible as it can get. Grit, courage, and determination  would be understatements while describing the personality and true spirit of Tommy McAuliffe, a Golfer with a difference.

McAuliffe was born in 1893 in Buffalo, New York, and in 1902 he met with an extremely tragic accident, losing both his arms at the shoulders. He was just 9 and had to live with a colossal loss. But due to his sheer grit and steely determination McAuliffe led a remarkable life. The fact that he played Golf without arms is an assertion of the scale of his achievement. Golf is a difficult sport and the challenge of playing it without arms is beyond imagination. But Tommy McAuliffe played Golf and that too succesfully.

McAuliffe clutched the Golf club between his shoulder and neck with his face too applying the pressure. An unbelievable amount of practice was required to perfect the grip and then play with it. As the years went by McAuliffe was able to hit shots with the club and played with some of the greats of the game at that time. Though he could not generate the power which others could, he still had tremendous precision. It is said that once he chipped  282 balls into a basket 20 ft away, without missing a single shot. He travelled and played all over the world,  making people sit up and admire his breathtaking talent.

In those times a handicap was seen with unease and it was difficult to get respect,  much different from today’s times. McAuliffe therefore became an ambassador for the differently abled and became a strong proponent of positive thinking. He mesmerised people with his audacious skills and won their hearts and respect. He performed on stage too, conveying his message with great humour and touching peoples hearts. 

He promoted laws for the differently abled and worked hard for their implementation by the governments of that time. McAuliffe gave a lot back to society he was selfless and helped several people overcome handicaps to lead a normal life. The story of Tommy McAuliffe is a rarity. He died in 1967 leaving behind an incredible legacy. He earned respect and ensured several others got it too.

I was extremely moved by this story, which is inspiring and reminds us of all the virtues the Almighty has given us. We cannot fall short of expressing our gratitude for all we have been blessed with.  

Kudos…Tommy – The Incredible.

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Featured Image : Tommy McAuliffe