Came Back Swinging: Allen’s Return to Golf at Tee It Up

Came Back Swinging: Allen’s Return to Golf at Tee It Up

BOEC’s annual Tee It Up Golf Scramble took place on Monday, August 18th at the Keystone Ranch Golf Course and for Allen it wasn’t just another day on the course, it was his first time swinging a golf club since his accident four years ago.

Allen, a husband, father, and long-time self described “outdoors man” has lived in Colorado for the last 15 years with his wife and two children. He loves the area for its many days of sun, lack of humidity and bugs, and access to the things he’s passionate about like motorcycle riding, mountain biking, and skiing. It was four years ago that Allen faced a severe motorcycle accident on the highway resulting in a broken back in seven places and a spinal cord injury.  This led to a year-long hospital stay and countless hours of recovery to relearn basic muscle movements.

But if there is one thing to know about Allen, it is that he is resilient. Even after the long road to recovery and all the new challenges he was facing, he was determined to not let his injury stop him from doing what he loves. “You get cooped up being inside,” he says. “Being able to get outside and do things is really important to enjoying life.”

Less than two years after his accident, in a mission to get Allen back out on the ski hill, his family came across the Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center. Allen was over the moon to learn that there were organizations with the capabilities to get people with his condition back outside. Especially when he was used to being the only person in his small town with a disability. So, in the spring of 2023, Allen got back on skis through BOEC’s adaptive ski program.

This was the start of doors opening back up for Allen. He now knew that being paralyzed didn’t have to stop him from getting out and trying new things. When Allen heard about BOEC’s annual Tee It Up Golf Scramble, the timing felt perfect. He was eager to see if he could return to another sport he once loved. “I’d been thinking about trying to golf again,” Allen explained, “and I thought, what better way than through BOEC and to be an example of what you guys do to the people that are donating.” For Allen, the event was not only a chance to take his first swing since his accident, but also a powerful way to show supporters exactly what their contributions make possible.

While BOEC doesn’t typically offer adaptive golf opportunities, the team was able to collaborate with Trey Jonson, Director of Vail Golf Club, to secure an adaptive golf cart for the event and identified Austin Brockley, BOEC’s Operations Coordinator and adaptive instructor, as the perfect teammate for Allen. Austin leaned on his years of experience working in adaptive recreation and knowledge of golf to support Allen every step of the way. Allen emphasized just how much that presence mattered: having someone who not only understood his challenges, but anticipated his needs, meant he could focus on enjoying the moment instead of explaining his limitations.

Thank you to Vail Golf Club for providing the adaptive golf cart.

Allen admits he was both nervous and excited going into the scramble. But once he got into the adaptive cart, gripped the club, and remembered the basics, “it all came back.” More than just hitting the ball, Allen says the best part was being outside with his son and the BOEC team, sharing laughs, rooting each other on, and remembering the joy of the game. “It’s so great to get outside, get away and get your mind off of what you can’t do and instead see what you can do.”

One of the most powerful moments of the day came not from Allen’s own experience, but from someone watching. A fellow golfer approached Allen after the tournament to tell him how inspiring it was to see him golfing again. That golfer’s father had suffered a stroke and stopped golfing, but after seeing Allen in action, he realized his dad could get back on the course, too. “That’s what it’s all about,” Allen says. “Showing people what’s possible.”

For Allen, the BOEC has been a pathway back to the outdoors. “Without BOEC, there are very few opportunities like this. You help us get outside and remind us who we are, doing the things we love.”

Looking ahead, Allen hopes more adaptive golfers can join the Tee It Up Scramble in future years and more people can see the direct impact of BOEC’s work. It’s stories like Allen’s that highlight why we do what we do: empowering people of all abilities to embrace the outdoors. We can’t wait to see Allen back on the ski slopes and hopefully back on the golf course again next summer.