WAGA News
Bailey Bish, from Tucson, Arizona, has made her mark on adaptive golf through resilience and determination. After developing Dystonia in 2014 and POTS in 2016, she was forced to give up basketball. Refusing to give up on sports, she picked up golf and it became her new passion.
Bailey discovered adaptive golf through the University of Arizona’s Adaptive Golf program and dedicated herself to the sport. Through years of hard work, physical therapy, and Botox injections, she progressed to competing in 54-hole events. Her breakthrough came in 2023 when she won the PING U.S. Disabled Open Presented by the PGA of America. In recognition of her win PING presented her with a golden putter, becoming the first adaptive golfer to receive the honor.
She went on to claim titles at the Inaugural Florida Adaptive Open and Texas Adaptive Championship. In 2024 Bailey won the U.S. Adaptive Open, setting the women’s single day scoring record with a 3-under 69. She closed out the year by successfully defending her Texas Adaptive Championship title and kicked off 2025 with another win at the Inaugural SCGA Adaptive Championship.
Bailey is passionate about growing adaptive golf and hopes to inspire others facing adversity to discover new passions and possibilities.
Nick Kimmel | 2025 U.S. Adaptive Open
Marine Corps veteran Nick Kimmel returns for his second appearance in the U.S. Adaptive Open, held this year at Woodmont Country Club in Rockville, MD, from July 7-9. Representing the Western Amputee Golf Association. Nick earned his place in the field through Committee Selection as a Multiple Limb Amputee.
In 2011, Nick was severely wounded in Afghanistan after stepping on 40 pounds of hidden explosives. He lost both of his legs and his left arm in the blast. "Right after my injury, I was invited out to a golf course when I was still wheelchair-bound. I tried to do some putting and chipping, but it just wasn’t the same," Nick shared. "Then in 2015, my two best friends convinced me to go golfing with them. By this stage I was up and walking, and suddenly I was hooked on the game again. It’s been a huge learning curve golfing with only one limb. I still think like a traditional golfer, but my swing is so reliant on tempo and rhythm!"
Nick’s resilience and passion for the game continue to inspire players and fans alike. We’re proud to have him in the field, best of luck in the tournament.
The Western Amputee Golf Association (WAGA) is thrilled to announce the appointment of WORLD NUMBER 1 sight impaired female golfer (World number 2 amongst all sight impaired golfers) Amanda Cunha to the position of “Special Advisor and Consultant” to the Board of Directors of WAGA.
Amanda will help spearhead the future event planning committee now being formed within WAGA. She will also be an integral part of marketing and social media branding.
Amanda is attending the University of Arizona with a major in Communications and a minor in Public Relations, and is a member of the U of A Adaptive Golf Team. Please join all of us at WAGA in congratulating Amanda on what we’re sure is an exciting step in both hers and our futures.
You may go to wagagolf.org and become a member for just $25 per year. Memberships are renewable on your 12 month anniversary. We encourage input and ideas from all our members.
