WAGA News
Dedicated and Motivated describes our next Western Region representative to the 2025 USGA Adaptive Open Championship, and the 2024 NAGA womens overall National Champion, Chris Oviatt from Oregon.
"Hi my name is Chris Oviatt. I've been an avid competitive golfer over 32 years. I was diagnosed with Charcot Marie Tooth disease in 1987. This disease causes both feet to drop as the nerves below the knee do not communicate with the muscles. My hands are also impacted and mostly in both thumbs. I don't play in the cold as my hands just won't work. My mobility has decreased over the past 5 years but luckily I'm pain free. Just need my braces and a cane to get around the course.
I've won about 20 club championships over the years and just won the Arrowhead Ladies invitational with 108 ladies with a 77. I beat my great friend and my Adaptive caddie by 1. I love the game of golf and will always be positive and supportive towards others on and off the course. My favorite is Play well and have fun. I look forward to what the next few years have in store for me. I'm excited to play in the USGA Adaptive Championship in July."
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.
