GOLF: SOLIHULL-based Scott Blaney has his sights set on being part of the first golf tournament to be held as part of the Invictus Games, which this year take place in Toronto, Canada, in September.
Blaney, who lost a leg while serving as a soldier in Afghanistan ten years ago, is looking to be a part of a 15 strong squad from Great Britain who will play in the golf tournament against other servicemen and women from around the world, who have also been wounded, injured, or taken sick, while on duty.
To qualify, he needs to finish in the top 15 in a two-day tournament taking place in Bath on April 21-22.
And although he enters the tournament high in confidence, Blaney is also realistic enough to understand that the competition will be both strong and determined just like himself.
“Of course I’d like to be part of the Invictus Games, it’s an amazing event, and I’ve been given a chance to be in Toronto later this year thanks to the inclusion of my sport,” said Scott, who works in the Midland Golf Superstore at the Four Ashes Golf Centre in Solihull.
“But lots of other golfers in a similar situation to me, so it’s going to be very tough and intense.
“But being a part of the qualifying process is an achievement for me, and if I do make it to Toronto, then fantastic, but if I don’t I’ll just keep improving my game to give myself a better chance of making it next time.”
Blaney first took up golf in 2005, originally as a form of escapism from the battlefield he regularly frequented as a soldier serving with the Grenadier Guards, which he did between 2004 and 2015.
“After losing my leg in 2007 as a result of an explosion out in Afghanistan, golf became my way of battling back, and since then it has become my life.
“I stayed in the Army for another eight years, and became an instructor, but two years ago I decided it was time to move on, and I am now loving being involved with golf full-time.
“I’ve played a few tournaments on the European Disabled Golf Association Tour, but more than anything, I play on the Battleback Golf Association circuit, which is for guys like me, who were injured on duty.
“We play tournaments at different golf clubs around the country, and we also have an annual trophy, in a format like the Ryder Cup, against both Australia and the United States.
With so much to play for, the two-day tournament in Bath will be intense, but Scott is no stranger to a tough challenge.
Several years ago, he and a team of other wounded Army colleagues, took part in the what is described as the world’s toughest rowing event, the Atlantic Challenge.
“We came third overall and second in our category – there were four men, with just five legs between us, and we covered 3-thousand nautical miles,” Scott added.
“It was a great achievement and one that I’m very proud of; it was also tough, but yes, I would do it again, though I can’t see it happening!”
