DAVE Waterhouse is celebrating triumph in a Ryder Cup-style tournament for one-armed golfers.
The 52-year-old from Little Sutton has been reflecting on his triumph in the wake of America’s nerve-jangling defeat to Colin Montgomerie’s European team at Celtic Manor this week.
Dave represented Europe in the Fightmaster Cup, a team competition which pits the best one-armed golfers from Europe against their North American counterparts.
Like the Ryder Cup itself, the contest took place in Wales – at The Marriott St Pierre Hotel and Country Club.
And the title-holding Americans lost their grip on the title as Dave and his team-mates triumphed 16-12.
The Upton-by-Chester Golf Club member, who lost his right arm in a motorbike accident when he was just 18, was delighted at his team’s win, despite the high-pressure contest.
He said: “It was a wonderful experience. The whole team spirit was fantastic, how golf should be played, in true sportsmanship.”
The first two days of the three-day event saw a mixture of fourball and foursomes match play, with Dave taking part in the latter on both days.
In the first event, he and David Shutsander defeated the North American pairing 6&5, but in the second, they lost 4&3.
Although Europe held the advantage heading into the final day, the pressure was still on and Dave was selected to see Europe home in the final singles match.
He said: “I was just behind after the first nine holes and I gave myself a bit of a rollicking, as I was not playing particularly well.
“I then played a few good shots and I have never felt such a good moment like that in my life.”
Dave eventually beat his opponent Bill Frey 4&2 to ensure Europe’s victory.
He added: “Both teams celebrated together at the end, showing what disabled golfers can still do.”
