The North American One – Armed Golfer Association president Dan Aldrich is the latest guest on the We’re Not Stumped podcast.
Dan was a teenager in late 1980s Los Angeles, competing as a high-speed international water skier until a fall at nearly 100 mph caused complete nerve detachment in his left arm, deemed irreparable. This injury, affecting the brachial plexus—a network of nerves transmitting movement and sensory signals from the spinal cord to the arms and hands—seemingly stripped the 18-year-old of his ability to engage in sports, including skiing and golf. He went on a high school trip two weeks after the accident and just kept thinking, ‘Here you go with life.’ “
Shortly after his senior trip, Aldrich returned home and accompanied his father to the golf course. Observing for a moment, he then borrowed a 4-wood from his father’s bag and, using only his right arm, expertly launched the ball over a water hazard, surpassing his father’s performance.
Aldrich has harnessed that inspiration not only for his personal involvement but also to uplift countless others. Serving as the President of the National One-Armed Golfers Association (www.naoaga.org), he spearheads efforts to organize and advocate for tournaments across the United States catering to one-armed golfers. The NAOAGA follows the legacy of the globally-minded Society of One-Armed Golfers, which originated in Scotland in 1932.
Links:
North American One – Armed Golfer Association – https://www.naoaga.org/
U.S. Adaptive Golf Alliance – https://www.usaga.org/
#golf #adaptiveathlete #adaptivegolf #NAOAGA #golflife #golfing #golfer #golfswing #golfstagram #golfcourse #instagolf #golfaddict #pga #golfmk #golfclub #pgatour #golfr #golfers #golftips #golfislife #adaptivesports #paragolfer #disabilityawareness #adaptiveathlete #adaptivegolfers #allarewelcomehere #amputeegolf #adaptivegolfer #amputee #adaptive
Listen on Apple Podcasts
Watch on YouTube
Listen on Spotify
Host Mike Bolland welcomes Whitney Lavender — Miss Wheelchair Tennessee 2026, author, advocate, and host of the Wits Grit podcast — for an inspiring conversation about resilience, purpose, and overcoming unimaginable challenges. After a devastating fall led to a diagnosis of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), Whitney faced years of severe pain, countless treatments, and ultimately bilateral leg amputations. Rather than allowing adversity to define her, she rebuilt her life and discovered a new purpose through advocacy, storytelling, and empowering others. Whitney’s story is a powerful reminder that our greatest challenges can sometimes reveal strengths we never knew we had.
Ever since announcing his return to competitive bowling, Mike Bolland has been getting one question after another from friends, bowlers, podcast listeners, and people discovering his story for the first time. In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, Mike answers the top three questions he keeps hearing: 🎳 How did he start bowling? 🎳 Why did he walk away from the sport? 🎳 Why is he coming back now at 61 years old? Mike shares the story behind becoming the first person with limb loss to compete on the PBA Tour, the life experiences that pulled him away from bowling, and how volunteering with Arizona Disabled Sports unexpectedly helped inspire his comeback journey toward the PBA60 World Championship.
What happens when you step back into something you once loved… years later? In this episode of the We’re Not Stumped podcast, Mike Bolland shares the story behind his bowling comeback — from being the first person with limb loss to compete on the PBA Tour to stepping back onto the lanes with a new purpose. But this isn’t just about bowling. It's about shedding light on the things that are important to him - this podcast, his nonprofit and Enable Review. It’s never too late to chase something meaningful.
Leave A Comment