A few years ago, Bailey Bish could barely play nine holes. Today, her name is etched in the USGA’s history books after winning the 3rd U.S. Adaptive Open at Sand Creek Station in Newton, Kans.
“I’m feeling on top of the world,” Bish said. “The last two mornings when I’ve woken up and realized that I’m a USGA Champion, it’s been surreal.”
Bish's high school basketball career abruptly ended due to a sinus infection that triggered dystonia, a neurological condition causing involuntary muscle contractions, and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), characterized by increased heart rate and potential fainting spells.
Despite living near a golf course during her upbringing, Bish didn't take up the sport until after her diagnosis. Discovering adaptive golf provided her with renewed purpose and aspirations.
“I was in a really bad place three years ago before I found adaptive golf,” Bish said. “Once I found adaptive golf, it really gave me something to work toward and push for. That has been huge in helping me stay strong and motivated through all of the challenges that I’ve faced.”
Bailey Bish smiles at her caddie after making par on the 12th hole during the final round of the U.S. Adaptive Open (Photo courtesy of USGA/Kathryn Riley)
Competing in the Neurological Impairment category, Bish led convincingly after a record-breaking first round. However, she struggled on day two, finishing with a score of 78. After starting the final round with a rough stretch of bogey-bogey-double bogey, the tournament’s last two champions were in the hunt.
To maintain her composure, Bish refrained from checking the scoreboard until she finished on the 18th green. She rebounded from the rough stretch with the first eagle of her career on the fourth hole and went on to complete the wire-to-wire victory by a four-stroke margin.
Bish, a 24-year old from Tucson, was one of five players with Arizona ties to compete in the 3rd U.S. Adaptive Open Championship. Amanda Cunha, who plays on University of Arizona’s adaptive golf team, finished in fourth place in the women’s division and first place in the Vision Impairment category. Cunha posted a final round score of 1-under 71, joining Bish as the only players in the women’s division to shoot a round under par.
Phoenix’s Amy Bockerstette (+39) finished in 11th place in the women’s division. In the men’s division, Mesa’s Rob Walden (+17) finished in 26th place, while Chandler’s Larry Celano missed the 36-hole cut.
“The Arizona group that’s at the Adaptive Open is all really close. We usually sit together in the hospitality tent, we talk after the round. We’re very close and we have a great connection,” Bish said.
Amanda Cunha hugs Bailey Bish's mom after the 2024 U.S. Adaptive Open (Photo courtesy of the USGA/Kahtryn Riley)
For winning the championship, Bish was awarded a gold medal and custody of the U.S. Adaptive Open trophy for one year, as well as a five-year exemption into the championship.
Bish’s win also marks the second time this year that Arizonans have won a USGA Championship, after Brian Blanchard and Sam Engel won the U.S. Four-Ball Championship this past May. Prior to Blanchard and Engel’s win, Arizona had not had a USGA Champion since Billy Mayfair won the U.S. Amateur in 1987.
Arizona's strong showing at the U.S. Adaptive Open comes less than five months before the inaugural Arizona Adaptive Open Championship is scheduled to take place at Papago Golf Club.