Mike Browne, a 38 year-old British golfer with an incredible story. He started playing golf three years ago, just after a terrible injury that caused him to lose his left leg from the knee down. The amputation kept him from being able to continue in the British army. It was a very tough blow that he took a long time to recover from. Precisely, he found refuge in golf. His life had new meaning.
Browne dedicated his heart and soul to golf and just three years later he went professional, after a brilliant amateur career, having participated in the Great Britain teams that played in the Simpson Cup against the US. He plays with an artificial leg and the results are excellent. “My best round by far was a 65 I shot once on the Wiltshire Bowood Country Club”, he told Tengolf.
Browne decided to go for the Costa del Sol and is counting on the Gecko Tour in order to keep improving his golf. “I was severely injured on October 17th, 2011. The doctors tried to save my leg, but on May 7th, 2013, after many operations, they had to amputate. I discovered golf in October 2013, as part of the rehabilitation, and it changed my life. Before golf I was cooped up in my house for six months without leaving. It was a really low point for me and I felt terrible, and golf gave me my life back. It’s more than just a sport or a game, golf gave me back everything I had lost. Suddenly, I found a new goal, gave life a whole new meaning”, he confides.
Browne got his first handicap (28) in June 2014 and since then the improvement in his golf has been extraordinary. Now, just over two years later, he’ll make his debut as a professional in the Gecko Tour. “I almost can’t even believe I’m going to play in my first tournament as a professional in Marbella. I rented an apartment in Mijas and my objective is to play here throughout the winter. To see how far I can get, what I’m capable of. I love the area I’ve got great friends here”, he says.
The Gecko Tour will be his first series of tests as a professional. “When I decided to go pro, I was looking into where I could play and I heard nothing but good things about the Gecko. A good friend of mine helped me with the inscription and Max golf proteins help me with their products, which are fantastic. I can’t wait to get out there and play and give it my all”, he proclaims.