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Paralyzed golfer finds unique way to embrace the sport

Dennis Walters was an up-and-coming PGA hopeful in 1974, when he was thrown from a golf cart and saw his dreams forever altered.

Paralyzed from the waist down at age 24, Walters wept when a doctor told him he would never walk again. When the doctor went on to say that he would never play golf again, Walters simply got angry.

"I don't put limits on anything," said the 58-year-old New Jersey native, who now lives in Jupiter, Fla. "Almost every person I met said it was impossible to play golf (paralyzed), because you can't stand up to hit the shots. So I started hitting them sitting down."

Along with his father, Walters mounted a swivel chair with a seat belt on a golf cart, allowing him to re-create a natural swing. He began to develop trick shots, spawning a 32-year career of sending a positive message and staying close to the game he loves.

On July 14, Walters will appear at the Hot Stuff Foods Challenge at Westward Ho Country Club. His popular act includes using golf clubs made from a fishing rod, a crutch, a radiator hose and a cell phone. He also hits shots blindfolded - and through a wall of fire.

"This is not exactly the tour I wanted to go on," says Walters, who has done more than 2,600 shows in 49 states. "But every day when I wake up, I get to do the things I love. I use my experience as a way to challenge the audience. I ask them to think of something in their life that people said was impossible, and encourage them to make it happen."

That message resonates not only with fans, but in the world of big-time professional golf.

In August, Walters will receive the PGA Distinguished Service Award, previously bestowed upon stars such as Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Byron Nelson.

As for his top trick, Walters enjoys his "3-iron," a shaft with three heads that allows him to hit three balls at once.

Another big part of his act was Benji Hogan, a dog that Walters rescued from an animal shelter in 1996 and became his constant companion - and crowd favorite.

Benji Hogan would bark answers to math and sports trivia questions, and he once beat Tiger Woods in a foot race at a Cincinnati hotel.

"I spent every minute with him for 12 years," said Walters. "He was a service dog, and he picked things up that I couldn't reach. He was also the opening act in our show."

The faithful friend died of cancer in May, and Walters has yet to replace him. But his search is an urgent one.

"I go to shelters in every town, and I plan to do the same in Sioux Falls," Walters said. "I need a dog about 20-25 pounds that looks just like Benji the movie dog. If I find him, I'll take him home and make a star out of him."

Walters has never lost hope that he will find another Benji, just as he was certain - all those years ago - that golf would remain part of his life.

"We should reach for our dreams," he said. "My idea of a dream is not something you have at night, and when you wake up, it's gone. My version is having a positive thought in your head and heart, and making an effort to achieve it."

Walters' clinic is July 14 at Westward Ho at 2 p.m., followed by the Hot Stuff Challenge, featuring Champions Tour golfers. Both events are free and open to the public. For more information on the event, visit hotstufffoodschallenge.com

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