San Martin
A stretched ulnar nerve injury in Terry Mayes’ left arm left her unable to close her hand and uncertain if she’d ever be able to play golf again. But with some determination and some duct tape, she was able to get back to the sport she loved.
Now, Mayes is playing for a championship.
Gilroy golfer Mayes, 58, will compete against more than 100 others from around the country in the USGA Women’s Senior Amateur Championship Saturday at CordeValle. For Mayes, it’s a humbling reminder of how close she came to losing touch with the sport she’s played since her teens.
“There’s always pride and expectation and there’s always the fear of failure,” Mayes said. “I think the fear of failure is present in everyone that plays this game. I’m excited to have this opportunity. When you don’t think you’ll ever play again, you appreciate those opportunities so much more.”
After her injury, Mayes put golf on the back burner. It wasn’t until 2006 when a neighbor encouraged her to play with one of the men’s clubs night leagues in Gilroy that she was bitten by the golf bug once again. Still unable to close her hand at that point, Mayes duct taped it to the golf club and headed out to the tee box. After the first swing, her love of the game came flooding back — she was hooked.
“Early in my life I was fortunate enough — in 1980 — to play on the LPGA Tour for a year,” Mayes said. “I didn’t make enough money to keep my card, but I was very lucky. To go from that level to stop playing and basically have to start all over again was a challenge.”
Just a year after getting back to the game, Mayes was ready for to play at the highest level. She qualified for the 2007 USGA Women’s Senior Amateur Championship at Sunriver, Ore., where she made it to the second round before she was eliminated. She qualified again in 2008 for the tournament in Tulsa, Okla., but was ousted after the first round of match play.
Now, after a five-year hiatus from the tournament, she’s ready to get back in the swing of things.
“In your wildest dreams you’d love to win. I realize that’s probably not realistic given the field — the field is a very strong field with some champions,” Mayes said. “My expectation is just to go out and do the best I can. … My goal would be to exceed what I’ve done in the past — I’d love to get to the third round. Right now all I can think about is one shot at a time, one day at a time.”
Mayes has only played at CordeValle three times before, but from her own experience of traveling to tournaments she knows she still holds an advantage. While her competitors will deal with the stress of hotels and travel to and from the course, Mayes will enjoy the comforts and familiarity of being at home — a rare treat for those competing in USGA Championships.
Mayes’ journey through the tournament begins with stroke play at 12:20 p.m. Saturday when she tees off at Hole 10. Stroke play continues at 8 a.m. Sunday where she’ll begin at Hole 1. Success here will advance her into the a field of 64 golfers who will make up the match play bracket.
“I think it’s a goal (to play in the championship) if you play amateur golf. You hope you’re up to the task to play at the highest level for your age bracket,” Mayes said. “I think the inspiration to play this year was that it’s right here in your own backyard, how could you not try? I just feel fortunate that I get to travel the shortest distance, hopefully I can make the most of it.”
“I’m excited to have this opportunity. When you don’t think you’ll ever play again, you appreciate those opportunities so much more.”
