2026 intake of players
Michael Scott
In 1988, aged 6 years old, I was diagnosed with bone cancer in my right ankle. A course of chemotherapy and a below knee amputation followed. In my early teens I needed two further revision stump operations. Chemotherapy in the 80s was fairly toxic, and as a result I was left with kidney damage and hearing loss, for which I use hearing aids.
Opportunities to participate in disabled sport during my childhood were rare. Growing up in the North East of England, football was a huge part of the culture. I used to play in goal on the school field because I couldn’t run, but I still wanted to be involved. I remember being excluded from the school team because of concerns that my prosthetic leg could injure others in a tackle.
I first tried golf in my early 20s. I only played for about a year. I didn’t have a clue what I was doing, never took a lesson, and quickly quit. In 2014 I went to the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles and was lucky enough to get into the first-tee grandstand on Saturday morning. The atmosphere was incredible.
In September 2024, my brother introduced me to the Golf Life YouTube channel. That’s when the golfing bug really bit. I dusted off my old clubs — Mizuno MX17 irons, a TaylorMade V Steel 3-wood, and a random Maxfli putter and we started playing our local 9-hole par-3 course.
As winter arrived, I hit a big barrier. Because of my disability, I can’t walk a full golf course, and I rely on a buggy. When winter restrictions came in and buggies were taken off, I simply couldn’t play. For months, the only golf I had was at the driving range.
In April 2025, I contacted England Golf’s disability manager to ask if they knew of any coaches in the North East of England with experience teaching a below-knee amputee. They put me in touch with The Golf Trust, who kindly funded 10 lessons with a pro at Durham City Golf Club. At that point, I wasn’t a member anywhere and needed somewhere to practise properly, not just off range mats. That’s when I reached out to Beamish Park Golf Club.
Beamish welcomed me with open arms. Andy, the club manager, kindly offered me an academy membership. The club also benefits from having David Stocks himself a disabled golfer and Durham Union’s disability golf ambassador which made it feel like the perfect place for me to belong.
Fast forward to October 2025, I’ve played my first EDGA Tour event — the Lancashire Open for golfers with disability and finished 4th in the stableford division. I have also joined a disabled golf society and represented the England half of the society in an event against Scotland at Blairgowrie Golf Club.
Living with a disability is a daily challenge. Some days I can’t even wear my prosthetic limb due to pain. But golf has given me something to strive for, a reason to keep pushing forward. And while it may sound like the biggest cliché in golf, it’s true — through the game I’ve met a great bunch of people and made new friends for life.
To have the opportunity to be part of ADG is incredible. My journey is only just beginning, and I’m excited to build on everything I’ve achieved so far.
Instagram @mickscott_golf
