Slice of the action: Disabled golfers share equal billing after historic move by Australian Open
"I thought I'd seen it all," reflects a visibly inspired tour veteran Peter Lonard.
Lonard is on the practice putting green on a breezy day at The Lakes Golf Club in Sydney, ahead of this year's Australian Open, having just played a few holes with Spanish amputee golfer Juan Postigo.
Unlike some, Postigo doesn't play with a prosthetic leg. His one-legged swing already generates as much ball-striking force as some of the game's current professionals.
Born without most of his right leg and no knee, Postigo's grandfather introduced him to golf at the age of 11, in the hope that he would be able to use the sport to stay connected to people.
Eleven years later, Postigo has honed his game, his body and now plays off scratch, which means he regularly finishes with the types of scores that some of the world's best professionals produce.
External Link: Juan Postigo Arce slow motion: tweet
"It was quite an extraordinary experience. As far as golf I thought I had seen everything, but I got to say, that was a special afternoon," Lonard told the ABC.
"I got to see this kid with one leg smash it around the golf course."
The ultimate balancing act
Postigo is one of 13 golfers taking part in this week's Australian All Abilities Championship, which this year is being staged within the main tournament itself.
The move is a world first, and a major step forward for inclusiveness in the sport.
The 22-year-old smiled broadly on the range when asked about his practice round with one of the most respected veterans of Australian golf.
"We went to the first hole and Peter said 'you start', and I said 'no, Pete, you start, I am nobody here' and he said 'no you start' — so I hit a perfect drive 280 yards and he was starting to get nervous …" said the world No.2 All Abilities player.
Lonard walked off the course in awe of Postigo's game.
"I think he is fit and he's young, so he's got a lot of flexibility. [But] it's all about balance, so if you can balance and swing it around a certain point [you can execute shots].
External Link: Juan Postigo Arce video: tweet
"At the end of the day us golf pros chase a little white ball around but in terms of what these guys are doing, it's quite incredible.
"It'll be an eye-opener [for the fans] I guarantee it."
Golf is taking advantage of what it's good at by making an effort to include athletes with a disability at this week's Open, thanks to the game's simple handicap system.
It credits players with extra shots on certain holes of a golf course, based on their scoring ability.
"It was a very easy sell. We spoke about it at Golf Australia for all of about 10 minutes," explained senior inclusion manager at Golf Australia, Christian Porter.
A world first
The main field of professionals in the tournament has been reduced to accommodate the golfers with a disability, who start their three-day competition on Friday.
External Link: Mike Roll Australian Open Golf: tweet
"They will play strokeplay, off the same tees, with the same challenges as all the other players," Porter said.
"The last group on Sunday will finish roughly half an hour behind the lead group of the Australian Open."
Porter said the inspiration to integrate the All Abilities Championship into the Australian Open came from the Para Sports included in this year's Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.
"We saw the public reaction and we realised that we are a sport that can also include," he said.
Postigo hopes the decision of Golf Australia this week will lead to more recognition for disabled golfers, while encouraging future participants.
"It is really smart of them," he said.
"This is something that has not been done before. They had the brilliant idea. I think many federations will copy this idea.
"We are going to get coverage that we would not usually get, and I think fans will really enjoy."
External Link: Jaun Postigo: Instagram
Postigo hopes the Paralympic movement will also take notice of the progress the sport is making, with golf not currently a sport listed despite its recent Olympics inclusion.
In to the swing of things
The reaction to the increased visibility of golfers with a disability in tournament week at The Lakes has been universally positive.
Players are sharing the same locker rooms, practice facilities and support staff as the PGA Professionals which in itself is a powerful, symbolic statement.
They have been the draw cards on the practice putting green next to the clubhouse.
Metallic prosthetic limbs on some players glimmer in the morning sun, as they fine tune their putting and engage in casual conversations with some of the biggest names in Australian golf.
"It's different. When I say different, I mean different in a great way," said James Nitties, a pro who has won millions on the PGA Tour in the United States and is also regular on the Australian tour.
"They play awesome, they act professionally, and I see them as competitors in this event."
Australian Stephen Prior, who plays with a prosthetic arm, says he's been buoyed by the level of support that the regular playing professionals have shown their golfing colleagues.
"I think it's just amazing. We have never seen something in our lives like this, where we play with the professionals, so I think it's just amazing," Prior said.
"Basically, you are just treated like one of the guys. You might as well be a professional golfer."
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