The Golf Shot

At the age of eight, I remember driving a golf cart for my Dad. He was my hero. He taught me how to golf and so much about life. He is also the person responsible for my being here. in March of 1984, my hero, my father gave me one of his kidneys, effectively saving my life.

Since regaining my health I had been able to renew my love of golf. With my fathers and families encouragement I decided to participate in the World Transplant Games held in Budapest, Hungary in August of 1991. The following is my fondest moment of my trip to Budapest...

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We had arrived early in the morning to begin our round of golf early in the morning. We had reached the fifth tee. I teed off and hit a lovely long shot right into the trees on the right side of the fairway.

I got myself into trouble by hitting the ball into six inch grass surrounded by bushes. The golf ball was situated in the middle of two small trees. ALSO, there was a branch crossing the, would be, flight path of the ball. I would have to "punch" the ball out with my wedge, making sure it stayed no higher than twelve inches or so off of the ground, and the caddie, thankfully, decided to hold the bushes off my back, OR, I would have had to take a penalty stroke.

I decided to attempt to save that stroke. I crouched almost onto my knees and took some practice swings. (being careful not to touch the ball). As I did this the caddie began to giggle. Well, I started too... We giggled together for a good two or three minutes. I regained what composure I had left and gave the ball one heck of a WHACK!!! I yelled, "Did it come out?"

The ball had come out all right.... It had landed about 50 yards from the pin. It had traveled about 100 yards, no further than 18 inches off the ground. The shot was a thing of beauty, and the shot of my life. I did not win or even place in this tournament. This shot and the bond I had for those few moments with a total stranger. There was no language barrier. The one thing we had in common was a transplant. It was the highlight of the games for me.

Karen Jones
Kidney Transplant Recipient
8th World Transplant Games in Budapest,