What a champ.
Edward O’Reilly is a 14-year-old boy from Donegal who was born with a birth defect which left him with one hand.
When Edward was growing up, he fell in love with the game of golf and started getting lessons when he was eight from a man named Seamus McMonagle.
Seamus posted a video of Edward’s golfing ability on Facebook the other day and it’s been so warmly received. Along with the video he posted this status: “I have never seen Edward’s disability as a hindrance, only a challenge.”
“Edward is an inspiration to teach. He never complains about anything. If he hits a bad shot he just smiles and gets on with it.
I see so many kids now that throw clubs around, oftentimes letting them go if they don’t hit a perfect shot and giving up after a few holes if things don’t go their way.”
Watch the video here:
This is Edward O'Reilly. He's 14 years old and was born with a normal hand and a birth defect on the other. I've been teaching Edward since he was 8 years old. I have never seen Edward's disability as a hindrance, only a challenge. I got Edward to use his the end of his arm to cock the club on the way back keeping his elbows close to his body so his arm wouldn't come off the club – then to uncock the club really early on the follow though so he would be able to release it and get through the ball.Edward is an inspiration to teach. He never complains about anything. If he hits a bad shot he just smiles and gets on with it. I see so many kids now that throw clubs around, oftentimes letting them go if they don't hit a perfect shot and giving up after a few holes if things don't go their way. Don't give up because things are hard….Edward sure doesn't.
Posted by Seamus McMonagle Golf Coaching on Thursday, September 3, 2015
Seamus also explained the swing technique he’s taught Edward: “I got Edward to use his the end of his arm to cock the club on the way back keeping his elbows close to his body so his arm wouldn’t come off the club – then to uncock the club really early on the follow though so he would be able to release it and get through the ball.”
The last line of the post is the most powerful: “Don’t give up because things are hard….Edward sure doesn’t.” Well said.
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