Army infantrymen Randy Shack was injured in Iraq in 2007 while investigating an IED. It was his fifth time investigating an IED.
When he returned home just before his 26th birthday, he found he could no longer sit up straight.
Unfortunately, doctors found Shack's spinal cord too damaged to repair.
Shack had no desire to leave his house in a wheelchair, so he became a recluse, though he did find solace in one thing.
Shack told Golfweek, "After I got out, I spent about 10 years in the bottle. I didn't know what else to do."
The breaking point, however, came at home in the garage, when Shack's 3-year-old son Raiden opened the fridge and handed his father a beer. He knew the routine.
"Our daughter's wedding was at the same time," said Shack. "I don't remember it.
Thankfully, Shack found PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) program, whom Shack says "gave him a second life."
Seven years ago, he played his first round of golf staying in his wheelchair and using junior clubs. Today, he's one of 96 competitors at the inaugural U.S. Adaptive Open, where he's one of seven players competing in the Seated Player category.
Shack says of competing in a national open, "I can't even put into words what it means. It's life-changing almost."
Shack is now an ambassador for PGA HOPE for the North Texas section, and is eager to share how golf has changed his life.
Next year, he'll travel to the Home of Golf as part of the St. Andrews Legacy program for veterans!
LISTEN on the Audacy App
