4th U.S. Adaptive Open – Inside The Field

The 4th U.S. Adaptive Open kicks off this week from Woodmont Country Club’s South Course.

There are 96 golfers in the 2025 U.S. Adaptive Open field. Here’s a closer look at the competitors.

Oldest Competitors: Dennis Walters (75), Kenny Gentile (68)

Youngest Competitors: Ryder Barr (16), Dogyoung Heo (16), Russell Aide (18), Sophia Howard (18)

Average Age of Field: 36.6

Field breakdown by age:
15-20: 5 competitors 
21-30: 35 competitors
31-40: 24 competitors
41-60: 25 competitors
60-81: 7 competitors

U.S. States Represented – There are 34 states represented in the 2025 U.S. Adaptive Open field: 

Michigan (8), Florida (7), Arizona (5), California (4), Pennsylvania (4), Georgia (3), Illinois (3), Maryland (3), New Jersey (3), New York (3), Texas (3), Virginia (3), Alabama (2), Indiana (2), Kentucky (2), North Carolina (2), Tennessee (2), Utah (2), Colorado (1), Hawaii (1), Idaho (1), Kansas (1), Minnesota (1), Mississippi (1), Missouri (1), Montana (1), Nebraska (1), Nevada (1), North Dakota (1), Ohio (1), Oklahoma (1), Oregon (1), South Carolina (1), Washington (1)

International – There are 10 countries represented in the field:  

United States (77), Canada (7), England (3), Republic of Korea (3), Argentina (1), Australia (1), France (1), Ireland (1), South Africa (1), Sweden (1)

Players from Maryland (3): Vince Biser (Towson), Jack Bonifant (Sandy Spring), Ford Martin (Potomac)

USGA Champions (5): Bailey Bish (2024 U.S. Adaptive Open), Ryanne Jackson (2023 U.S. Adaptive Open), Kim Moore (2022 U.S. Adaptive Open), Kipp Popert (2023, 2024 U.S. Adaptive Open), Simon Lee (2022 U.S. Adaptive Open)

Former P.J. Boatwright Jr. Interns (2): Tyler Cashman (Golf Association of Philadelphia), Max Togisala (Utah Golf Association)

World Golf Hall of Fame Members/Bob Jones Award Winners: Dennis Walters

Player Profiles

Vince Biser, 37, of Towson, Md., was born with utero cerebral palsy and suffered a stroke before birth that left him without full use of the right side of his body. This led to severe epilepsy and violent seizures. At age 16, Vince took the drastic measure of undergoing a hemispherectomy, a rare surgery that removes half of the brain from the other half. After the procedure, Vince got his life back and started playing golf competitively. He is a multiple-time champion of the North American One-Armed Golfer Association.

Bailey Bish, 25, of Tucson, Ariz., won the women’s overall title at the 2024 U.S. Adaptive Open, besting 2022 champion Kim Moore by four strokes. Her opening-round 3-under 69 was the only round of the week in the 60s by any female in the field. Bailey was diagnosed with dystonia and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, a disorder of the autonomic nervous system, which causes involuntary muscle contractions. Her long-time coach is former LPGA player and well-renowned instructor Susie Meyers who played in four U.S. Women’s Opens.

Joakim Bjorkman, 34, of Sweden, was born with achondroplasia (short stature) and fell in love with golf while watching Tiger Woods compete in the 2000 Open Championship at St. Andrews. Bjorkman has established himself as a top professional in the disabled ranks, winning 35 titles around the world, including a Swedish Open Championship in 2016, four straight Italian Open Championships from 2015-2018 and a European Championship in 2006.

Amy Bockerstette, 26, of Phoenix, Ariz., who was born with Down syndrome, has a close relationship with 2019 U.S. Open champion Gary Woodland. Bockerstette founded the “I Got This” Foundation to provide golf instruction, playing opportunities and organized events for people with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities. She has also been an active participant in LPGA*USGA Girls Golf. This is her fourth start in the U.S. Adaptive Open.

Jack Bonifant, 35, of Sandy Spring, Md., suffered a fractured skull at 6 weeks old that required nine hours of surgery and 10 years of rehabilitation, causing him to lose feeling on the entire left side of his body. Bonifant found inspiration from Jim Abbott, who was born without a right hand and pitched for 10 seasons in Major League Baseball. In last year’s U.S. Adaptive Open, he finished third in the Neurological Impairment category and 11th overall. Bonifant earned a first-alternate spot in the 2021 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship with partner Taso Scilaris.

Kenny Bontz, 55, of Parrish, Fla., was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 11, and with Ewing sarcoma in his leg at 19 years old. Bontz underwent six knee replacements in nine years, leading him to choose amputation to get his life back after many years of opioid and alcohol addiction. He is a member of EDGA (formerly the European Disabled Golf Association).

Mike Browne, 47, of England, won the 2024 and 2023 U.S. Adaptive Open lower limb impairment category. Capped off his 2023 season by winning the DP World G4D Tour. In 2011, Brown injured his left leg while serving in the British Army’s Royal Artillery and made the decision to have it amputated following more than 30 operations. Browne was introduced to golf through the On Course Foundation, a charity which helps military personnel rehabilitate through golf.

Brandon Canesi, 33, of Northfield, N.J., was born without hands, but taught himself how to design and build his own extended golf clubs that allow him to anchor under his arms. In 2022, he was a member of the USA team for The Cairns Cup, a Ryder Cup-style event for golfers with disabilities. This will be his fourth start in the U.S. Adaptive Open.

Tyler Cashman, 22, of Oldwick, N.J., placed second in the visual impairment category at the 2024 U.S. Adaptive Open. Last year, Tyler served as a USGA P.J. Boatwright Jr. intern with the Golf Association of Philadelphia where he supported the launch of the regional golf association’s adaptive programs. He was also selected to participate in the USGA’s Pathways Internship program this year.

Amanda Cunha, 21, of Kaneohe, Hawaii, won the 2022, 2023 and 2024 U.S. Adaptive Open female vision impairment category. She currently plays for the University of Arizona para golf team. In 2021, she was diagnosed with a condition called Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy, which greatly impairs central vision, and was legally blind within three months of the onset of symptoms.

Abigail Davis, 23, of Houston, Texas, won the 2023 U.S. Adaptive Open female upper limb impairment category. Davis was born without a left hand as a result of Amniotic Band Syndrome (ABS) which restricted the limb’s growth while in the womb. A collegiate golfer at University of Mary Hardin-Baylor where she completed her undergraduate studies, she is currently pursuing a master's degree in occupational therapy.

Mario Dino, 22, of Denver, Colo., was born with a form of cerebral palsy that restricts movements on the left side of his body. He is a member of the University of Redlands men’s golf team. An accomplished golfer at Mullen High School in Denver, Dino competed in the state championship from 2017-20, finishing second and helping his team earn runner-up honors in his senior season.

Jesse Florkowski, 35, of Canada, was born without a right arm as a result of Amniotic Band Syndrome (ABS) and consistently ranks as one of the top one-armed golfers in the world. He was introduced to the game at a young age by his grandparents and is currently a Class 'A' Golf Professional at Connaught Golf Club in Alberta. Florkowski secured a spot in this year’s championship by earning medalist honors at the Southern California qualifier.

Ryanne Jackson, 27, of Seminole, Fla., earned the title of women’s overall champion in the 2023 U.S. Adaptive Open, outlasting defending champion Kim Moore by five strokes. She also won the 2022 and 2023 neurological impairment category. Jackson was diagnosed with scapuloperoneal muscular dystrophy as a college freshman following a decorated high school career in both basketball and golf. She and her two older sisters played college golf after being coached by their father at Northside Christian School, where he continues to lead the golf program.

Kiefer Jones, 35, of Canada, won the 2022, 2023 and 2024 U.S. Adaptive Open vision impairment category. At 16 years old a virus attacked his optic nerve, which resulted in the loss of his central vision. A lifelong golfer, he was introduced to the game at two-years old by his father. Jones is a CPGA professional and has won the World Blind Golf Championship twice.

Brendan Lawlor, 28, of Republic of Ireland, was born with a rare bone disorder Ellis-Van Creveld Syndrome, characterized by a shorter stature and shorter limbs. Lawlor, the third-ranked player in the World Ranking for Golfers with Disability (WR4GD), made history by becoming the first disabled golfer to compete on the DP World Tour at the ISPS HANDA UK Championship in August 2020.

Simon Lee, 28, of Republic of Korea, won the 2022, 2023 and 2024 U.S. Adaptive Open men’s intellectual impairment category. Lee earned the title of men’s overall champion in the 2022 U.S. Adaptive Open, surviving a two-hole aggregate playoff. He has competed in numerous events as a professional on the Korean PGA Tour. Lee was diagnosed with a form of autism that makes communicating particularly difficult. He is the son of a diplomat who served stints in Washington, D.C., and New York.

Ford Martin, 32, of Potomac, Md., was born with bilateral neurogenic clubfoot, leading doctors to proclaim that he may not walk normally and would never be able to run at full speed. The youngest of seven children, he went to high school at Georgetown Prep. Despite his prognosis, Ford starred as a goalie on the lacrosse team, starting 43 straight games and leading his team to championships during both his junior and senior year. Ford grew up playing in the junior golf program at Congressional Country Club, and in 2023, captured the men’s club championship. He recently won the men’s division of the 2024 Arizona Adaptive Open and shot a final-round 6-under 66 to finish T-5 in last year’s U.S. Adaptive Open.  

Kim Moore, 44, of Portage, Mich., went wire-to-wire to earn the title of women’s overall champion in the 2022 U.S. Adaptive Open. She was born without a right foot, a severely clubbed left foot and a slight case of spina bifida. She played four years of college golf at the University of Indianapolis, where she was ranked in the NCAA Division II top 10 as an individual and was all-conference all four years. She received the first-ever Kim Moore Spirit Award, which is given to one female golfer in each of three college divisions who exemplifies perseverance and high character. She is also a PGA teaching professional.

Issa Nlareb, 34, of Cameroon, won the 2024 U.S. Adaptive Open men’s multiple limb amputee category with a three-round total of 6-under par. Issa suffered from bacterial meningitis in 2018 while competing at the Alps Tour's Ein Bay Open in Egypt. The prognosis led to the amputation of both legs and multiple fingers, yet he never lost his commitment to the game and regained his Alps Tour card in 2022. Issa was first exposed to golf as a child on his daily commutes through his neighborhood golf course to school. Following the loss of his mother at age 11, he found a second family at the golf facility, and was able to develop his skills while also serving as a caddie.

Chad Pfeifer, 43, of Nampa, Idaho, won the 2022 U.S. Adaptive Open male lower limb impairment category. Pfeifer is no stranger to high-level competition. Since losing his left leg in 2007 in an explosion while serving for the U.S. Army in Iraq, he has become a mainstay on the adaptive golf circuit, winning multiple titles.

Kipp Popert, 26, of England, earned his second of back-to-back titles as the men’s overall champion in last year’s U.S. Adaptive Open, edging inaugural champion Simon Lee by four strokes.Popert has been playing golf since he was 3 years old and has become one of the world’s best golfers with a disability. He was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at birth and has undergone several surgeries. Last May, Popert held off Brendan Lawlor to win the 2024 G4D Open, propelling him to the top of the WR4GD rankings, where he has remained since.

Mandi Sedlak, 45, of Kearney, Neb., is a decorated amateur adaptive athlete who captured the 2016 and 2017 Women’s National Amputee Championships. Sedlak, who had her leg amputated below the knee at age 21, co-founded Women's Orthotics & Prosthetics and Prosthetic Healthcare Services with her husband.

Cassie Sengul, 19, of Manassas, Va., was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at birth, enduring several operations throughout her early life to maintain strength in her legs. Cassie is currently a rising sophomore at Drew University in Madison, N.J. where she plays on the women’s golf team. She made her U.S. Adaptive Open Championship debut last year and finished fifth in the women’s overall . Cassie also won the women’s division of the inaugural 2024 Arizona Adaptive Open.

Natasha Stasiuk, 27, of Canada, won the 2023 and 2024 U.S. Adaptive Open women’s intellectual impairment category. She is one of seven Canadians competing in the championship. She credits renowned golf coach Carrie Vaughn for inspiring her to stay in the game.

Jordan Thomas, 36, of Nashville, Tenn., won the 2022 U.S. Adaptive Open men’s multiple limb amputee category. He is a bilateral below-the-knee amputee due to a boating accident at age 16. While in the hospital recovering, he started the Jordan Thomas Foundation, a nonprofit that provides prosthetic devices for children.

Max Togisala, 21, of South Odgen, Utah, won the 2023 and 2024 U.S. Adaptive Open men’s seated players category. Max was paralyzed in a ski accident in February 2022. While he was a golfer prior to his accident, he had to relearn the game from a seated position. En route to winning the 2023 U.S. Adaptive Open seated players category, Togisala shot a 2-under-par 70 in the second round of the championship, which bettered by nine strokes the lowest round by a seated player in championship history.

Rose Veldman, 25, of Los Angeles, Calif., won the women’s multiple limb amputee category at the 2024 U.S. Adaptive Open. In 2010, Veldman was a 10-year-old orphan living in Haiti when a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck her village. She heroically raced into a nearby building to rescue a young girl who was trapped. Veldman was able to save the girl by tossing her out of a window before the building collapsed on herself, losing both of her legs in the aftermath.

Cathy Walch, 59, of Buford, Ariz., won the women’s upper limb impairment category at the 2022 and 2024 U.S. Adaptive Opens, narrowly besting Abigail Davis by one stroke in 2024. Walch is congenital below the elbow on her right arm. She is a retired elementary school teacher who has been playing in adaptive golf events since 1981.

Dennis Walters, 75, of Jupiter, Fla., won the 2022 U.S. Adaptive Open men’s seated players category. He was paralyzed in a golf cart accident at age 24. He played college golf at North Texas State University and finished 11th in the 1967 U.S. Amateur. Since 1977, Walters has hosted “The Dennis Walters Golf Show,” a one-hour golf trick shot clinic, traveling over 3.5 million miles at over 3,000 performances. Walters is a member of The World Golf Hall of Fame, an Honorary Lifetime Member of The PGA of America and a Ben Hogan Award for Courage winner. 

Chris Willis, 44, of Canada, won the men’s upper limb impairment category at the 2024 U.S. Adaptive Open, shooting 2-under overall with a 4-under 68 in the final round. Willis’ right thumb is missing a knuckle and he is also missing a left thumb. Through surgery, his left index finger has been made into a thumb, enabling him to grip the club.