ELLESMERE Port golfer Dave Waterhouse is ready to compete for Europe in the Fightmaster Cup this weekend.
The tournament is the equivalent of the Ryder Cup for one-armed golfers and Dave is relishing the prospect of taking on North America.
Dave lost his right arm in a motorbike accident when he was 18 and admits he never imagined he would be able to compete in any such event.
But two years ago he travelled to Kentucky for the inaugural Fightmaster Cup and now he is preparing himself to compete once again.
He said: “To be taking part in an event like that is amazing really. It’s something I never would even have dreamed of.
“After losing my arm I didn’t think it would be possible to even play the sport but to go on to represent Europe is incredible.
And despite defeat in Kentucky Dave says: “The original Fightmaster Cup was the best experience in the world and I just can’t wait to experience it again.”
Dave, who is a member of Upton-by-Chester Golf Club, took up the sport in 1991, some 15 years after his accident.
Now 52, he has a handicap of 13 and has been competing in the World Championships for golfers with one arm every year since 1993.
But now he will turn his attentions away from his individual goals and try to help the European team emerge victorious from the St Pierre Golf Club in Chepstow.
Today, the team will go for a guided tour of the Celtic Manor Golf Club which is hosting the Ryder Cup next month, and Dave says that confidence is high in the camp.
He said: “The experience we got from Kentucky can only help us this time. But the team is stronger too. We have some real talented golfers with us.
“We’re all confident and I believe we can demonstrate the passion from our team players and succeed this year.”
