By Chace Bryson
Though he was born with left hemispheric cerebral palsy, John Scott Senz has always been determined to play sports at the highest level.
On Oct. 31, he will.
The 18-year-old Concord High senior will get to take his remarkable golf game to Las Vegas where he’ll participate in the PGA Shriners Hospitals for Children Open at TPC Summerlin. Senz, who owns a 9-handicap for the Concord High golf team, will participate in the Pro-Am portion of the event.
Senz has been a patient at Sacramento’s Shriners Hospital for Children — Northern California for nearly a decade. His golf game blossomed not long after he was able to undergo successful surgery on his left hand by noted hand surgeon Michelle James, M.D. in September of 2009.
“The surgery gave me better control of my hand and wrist,” Senz said in a story written by Shriners Hospital for Children. “In August 2015, I had my thumb stabilized and the swan-necking of my fingers corrected. I followed up with Dr. James every few months, and now I see her once a year.”
Senz’s success on the golf course has come as no surprise to his doctor.
“He and his parents have always been a joy to work with,” Dr. James said. “Thanks to the Shriners’ support of our hospitals, I am privileged to be able to help kids like John Scott, who are so motivated to succeed!”
Send has earned multiple all-league selections playing for Concord, and has also participated in a variety of junior golf tours throughout Northern California. He’s twice won the Special Olympics of Northern California Regional tournament.
Senz credits his success to the support and encouragement of PGA Golf Professional Craig Kilcoyne and the First-Tee Program. Visit SportStarsMag.com in November to read about Senz’s experience at the PGA event in Las Vegas.
CONCORD 5000 SET FOR VETERAN’S DAY WEEKEND
On Nov. 11, Diablo Valley Federal Credit Union will present the Concord 5000 5K Run/Walk to benefit the Contra Costa Blue Star Moms.
The Blue Star Moms are a non-profit organization devoted to supporting members of the armed forces and its veterans.
The Concord 5000 will begin on soccer field at Newhall Park and proceed out of the park, across Ayers Road and continue on the California Riding and Hiking Trial toward Alberta Way and Clayton Valley Charter High School. Participants will make one lap of the track within school’s Gonsalves Stadium before heading back toward Newhall Park’s finish line.
There will be age-based awards, a finish area festival with sponsor tables, water and small food items at the finish area and t-shirts/medals for the finishers. Along the course there will be distance markers and hydration stations.
For those interested in the event, registration is $30 prior to October 31, and $35 for before Nov. 11. Race Day registration will be $40. Register online at Concord5000.com and use the code word “RED” to receive a $5 discount.
4 comments
Way to go guys!!! Congrats!!!!
And has Concord’s Parks & Rec Department notified any of the neighbors to the park? Is this going to be yet another overcrowded event with parking fiascos like the DeLaSalle sponsored track meet?
Congrats John!
You go John! Golf is a surprisingly hard sport to excel at. Yet it is so addicting.
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