Disease Slows Weder, But Not Her Spirit

By Mike Ewald, USGA

Knoxville, Tenn.- In the week it will take to complete the 2004 U.S. Women's Mid-Amateur Championship at Holston Hills Country Club, 200 people will be diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in the United States .  

Approximately 150 of these new cases will affect females, as the disease is 50 percent more common amongst women. Most of these people won't even see the disease coming, until the symptoms set in.

That's what happened to Maggie Weder nearly 13 years ago. After 16 years serving in the United States Marine Corps, the diagnosis hit her like a ton of bricks.

"Everything just went at once," said Weder after posting a 17-over-par 89 Saturday for a two-day total of 29-over 173 to miss match play. "One day, I was hiking with a heavy backpack on with the rest of my boys in my battalion, and the next day I was in the hospital. The numbness started in my legs and worked all the way up to my chest."

B eing a natural athlete and hard worker her entire life, Weder couldn't believe what was happening to her. She had previously competed in the Marine Corps marathon and was a nationally-ranked softball player. Upon the recommendation of her neurologist, Weder only began playing golf in 1997, after being housebound for nearly six years after her diagnosis.  

" B eing outside on the golf course, walking around, and playing the mental game has helped me fight MS," said Weder.

Weder has never received a golf lesson in her life. When she began playing the game seven years ago, lessons would not have helped her anyway. The symptoms of the disease made it nearly impossible for her to mentally compute any instructions that she may have received.  

"I spent 30 straight days on the driving range just hitting balls," said Weder. "And after the 30 days on the range, I spent the next 30 days on the putting green."  

Weder has definitely developed her own style of play.

"My grip is so tight that after the round I can barely feel my hands," she said glancing down at her palms. " B ut man, I can hit that ball far."

Her hard work and determination led to her qualification in the 2004 Women's Mid-Amateur this year at Holston Hills Country Club.

Although she didn't qualify for match play, she remained grateful and honored to be in the field.

"I played great," she said. " I finished my round with three pars and didn't break 90 in the second round. I didn't quit on any shot."

Weder refuses to give up on golf or in her fight against multiple sclerosis. She often plays with symptoms, which   included vertigo and motion sickness.  

"Golf has been great for me and I would recommend it for anyone that has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.   It has introduced me to so many great people."

Mike Ewald is a second-year Fellow with the USGA's Grants and Fellowship program. E-mail him with questions or comments at mewald@usga.org.