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Posted on Sun, May 5, 2013 : 5:30 a.m.

CBS to air story of Ann Arbor amputee veteran succeeding in golf

By Pete Cunningham

When Ann Arbor resident Tim Lang had the lower half of his right leg injured so badly by a roadside bomb in Iraq he had to have the lower half of his right leg amputated, he feared his handicap would forever define him. Eight years later, Lang is happy to for that to be the case, but not the one he suffered on the battlefield.

The one he gains on the golf course.

After returning from Iraq, Lang was lying in a hospital bed in Bethesda, Md. when he was approached by former PGA golfer Jim Estes. Estes is a co-founder of the Salute Military Golf Association, non-profit aimed at providing golf experiences and family-inclusive golf opportunities for post-9/11 wounded war veterans in an effort to improve their quality of life.

TimLang-golf.jpg

Tim Lang

Montana Pritchard | PGA of America

Estes asked Lang if he had ever thought of playing golf. The answer was the same as it was when Lang had two healthy legs: absolutely not.

“He was resistant. Thought it was a sissy game,” recalls Estes.

Estes had heard Lang was a good athlete before his injury, so he returned to the hospital with a strategy.

“I said ‘if you’re such a great athlete’, why don’t you show me something. Show me how easy (golf) is,” Estes said.

Lang took Estes up on the challenge and, predictably, he struggled.

“I said ‘I thought you were this great athlete and golf wasn’t a sport?’” Estes said. “I think that kind of lit a fire.”

Lang, who is a student at Eastern Michigan University, became an avid golfer, using the game as both mental therapy and physical exercise, two things he desperately needed after suffering his injury in war. Lang now shoots in the 70s, has aspirations of winning the National Amputee Golf Championships, and tells his story to inspire others.

Lang’s story will be one of several featured on CBS Sports on Sunday (2-3 p.m.) as part of the PGA of America’s Beyond the Green.

Comments

Kyle Mattson

Mon, May 6, 2013 : 5:44 p.m.

I happened to catch this segment by chance Sunday (sorry Pete, I missed this story when reading the site earlier in the day). I really enjoyed the entire Beyond the Green feature that also included a young girl from Flint http://bit.ly/129oc2k The program really did a good job of showing how golf as a sport can go beyond its various stigmas and have a positive effect on the lives of those from all ages, incomes, and backgrounds.

justiceforeach

Mon, May 6, 2013 : 3:32 a.m.

Thank you for your dedication, Mr Lang. Thank you for your service. Wishing you all the best on the links.

walker101

Sun, May 5, 2013 : 11:29 a.m.

Many ex professionals that excelled in every other sport and have taken up golf can attest that golf maybe one of the hardest sports to accomplish, very few amateurs can every attain the level of playability of any touring pro. Great to see that Mr. Lang is making a go at it and I hope he reaches his goal, it's a game for life. WELCOME HOME! 3/82nd Airborne VN 1969.