By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf

QUALICUM BEACH (August 13, 2024) - For the last several years, every step Walter Vanderrijst takes is accompanied by considerable pain due to a debilitating ankle problem.

There have been times when the 66-year-old Victoria resident has felt sorry for himself. But that hasn’t happened nearly as often since competing in B.C. All Abilities Championships.

After finishing second at last year’s inaugural tournament held at McCleery Golf Course in Vancouver, Vanderrijst on Tuesday won the 2024 championship played at Qualicum Beach Memorial Golf Club.

And while he will certainly always cherish the trophy and gold medal he earned for his victory, Vanderrijst suggested he has taken something much more important from the his two All Abilities Championships. “I was a little bit woe-is me about my situation physically and mentally, I was frustrated,” Vanderrijst said.

“But then I meet all these folks who are in most cases worse off than I am and I realize I don’t have a reason to make excuses. Just shut up and play.”

Vanderrijst played very well at Qualicum, particularly in the first round of the two-day, 36-hole event. He shot a two-over 72 in the first round and began the final round with an eight-shot cushion. His final round was not quite as tidy. The Gorge Vale Golf Club member closed with an 81 and suggested that he may have returned too early after ankle fusion surgery in March.

“This is my third round of golf since my surgery at the end of March. I’m not super happy with my golf right now and my surgeon probably isn’t either. This was my goal when I had my surgery scheduled. I wanted to get back and at least play this. Unfortunately, the body doesn’t cooperate. I hit the ball a lot better the first day and I also got some breaks. My short game wasn’t very good today, but I’m happy with the result.”

Like many of the competitors, Vanderrijst rode in a power cart. But he was still required to do a considerable amount of walking and that took a toll on his right ankle, which was badly swollen after the round. “It is pretty much constantly talking to me, in either throbbing or nerve pain,” he said. “You can see the swelling that has come up, It starts out flat when I wake up and goes to the size of a softball.”

Vanderrijst said he gets inspired playing with his fellow All Abilities competitors. "I really appreciate how good these guys are,” he said. “It really does mean a lot because I do struggle to play against the guys I used to play against when I was able-bodied. I was almost a scratch at one point.

“The game seemed easy for a while, but it’s not so easy when you have debilitating issues. But it means a lot to have this kind of a format to play in. I wish there were more. We have such a good time, everybody is super supporting and it is a really positive environment to be part of.”

James Ross of Parksville finished second, four shots back of Vanderrijst. He closed with the day’s low round, a five-over 75. Garrett Appleton of Victoria and Johannes Grames of Vancouver tied for third.

Ross won two other divisions that were also contested at Qualicum —a stroke play event for players eligible to collect world ranking points and a net Stableford competition.

It was the first All Abilities tournament for the 72-year-old Ross, who plays out of Morningstar in Parksville. His right leg had to be amputated below the knee after a farm accident when he was two years old. His grandfather got him involved in golf when he was six. “It’s pretty much been a life of golf,” said Ross, who has worked in the turf industry as a researcher and course superintendent.

Ross said a close friend talked him into playing the Qualicum event. “I decided to play and it was great,” he said. “I had some really great guys to play with and there was some amazing golf the last couple of days. It has been a wonderful experience.”

Click HERE for complete final scoring.