Nothing stops Bendigo golfer Warren Driscoll from getting out on the course.
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He fell off a roof a decade ago and was in a coma for nearly three months, before waking one day to find himself in a hospital bed.
"I can't remember a thing from the accident, my only memory is waking up down in Melbourne at the Alfred Hospital," Driscoll said.
"I didn't have a clue where I was."
While in a coma there was talk of switching off Driscoll's life support, but his family knew he was determined and would pull through.
Multiple surgeries later, the former Bendigo Bombers president was told he may not walk again.
However, despite being left paralysed in parts of the right side of his body, he was determined to continue doing the things he loves.
"After waking up in the Alfred I was eventually sent back to Bendigo and for a while I was pretty down about all that had happened," Driscoll said.
"Eventually my mind turned and I knew I would need to pick myself up and work hard to get going again."
The one hobby he was determined to continue with was golf, which he started playing years ago with his parents at Neangar Park.
He moved across to the Bendigo Golf Club in 2000 and had been refining his game before the accident in 2011.
He returned to the course a few years ago and despite being restricted to using just his left hand, he persevered and has mastered his own unique style of play using custom made clubs.
With help from friends who drive Driscoll to the club to play in addition to his volunteer work each Thursday, golf is by far his main pride and joy.
"When I first started again I would get around the course with about 150 off-the-stick, but over time I've slowly been improving," he said.
His hard work and determination on the golf course paid off last week.
Driscoll, who plays off a handicap of 40, won his division of the Bendigo Golf Club's Wednesday men's stableford competition.
He carded one of his best rounds with 107 off-the-stick with 40 stableford points.
Highlights from the round included a transition to using more lofted wood clubs on fairways and a few solid drives off the tee.
However, as all golfers know it all came down to how Driscoll performed on the putting greens.
"I putted really well all day which definitely helped," Driscoll said.
Driscoll now lives at Freedom Aged Care on Condon St in Kennington and spends endless hours helping others tending to their small gardens, but also practicing his putting on the carpet ahead of rounds.
"It just gives me something to do and the gardening gets me outside rather than just sitting in the recliner watching television," he said.
Looking ahead, nothing is going to stop Driscoll from doing what he loves and no doubt many more victories to come.
- Wednesday March 10 (Stableford)
A-Grade: T. Moore (9) 39 c/b over C. Nisbet (11) 39
B-Grade: M. Tyndall (14) 39, P. Mazur 38
C-Grade: W. Driscoll (40) 40 c/b over C. Wilkosz (23) 40
NTP
A-Grade: Bruce Duncan
B-Grade: G. Threlfall
C-Grade: -
Super Pin 17th: J. Gibbs
In other news at Bendigo GC, the club has appointed its pennant captains for the upcoming season.
Div 1: Brendan Smith
Div 2 Blue: Justin Ryan
Div 2 White: Michael McEvoy
Div 3 Blue: Paul Greene
Div 3 White: Paul Bowe
Open Blue: Jenni Bilkey
Open White: Darren McGregor
Pennant Coordinator: Mick Taylor
Want your club's competition results featured in the Bendigo Advertiser? Or have a golf related story to share? Please email anthony.pinda@bendigoadvertiser.com.au
