1. When did you develop a passion for the game?

I was the classic type "A" person. I loved working and worked way too many hours. After my 3rd heart attack, I was put out to pasture. My wife and doctors told me to make my health my new job. I had always liked the game, but a friend suggested I make golf a regular part of my weekly routine and the doctors agreed.

Now, even though I am on the Stanford / Kaiser Heart Failure Transplant program, I walk on a treadmill everyday, walk in a pool every other day and play 6 to 16 holes of golf every week.

2. What inspires you to play golf?

One of the side effects of having advanced Coronary Atherosclerosis, and Ischemic Cardio-Myopathy is depression. The program doctors at Stanford have prescribed golf to me as an antidepressant. Wow, does it work. I get to ride and walk around some of the most beautiful places on Earth. How can you stay depressed playing golf? Even a bad day of golf is wonderful.

3. Describe your best moment on the golf course.

I was playing golf with my wife (my favorite golf partner) at the Park Meadows Golf Course in Park City Utah. The day was perfect. The course was magnificent. October in Park City rivals New England for color, and beauty. This was they most perfect day to have. Why keep score?

4. Describe your worst moment on the golf course.

I was playing Hiddenbrooke G.C. in Vallejo for the first time. A very beautiful course. I was having a great round. But the course was more than I could handle health wise. After 12 holes I started having chest pains and I had to quit playing. Even my partner had to quit and take me back to the club house where I could get medical attention.

5. What physical and mental obstacles do you have to overcome when you play?

Besides my heart conditions, I have five unhealed rib joints from a botched surgery 15 years ago. They grind and move every time I move my upper body. So stamina and having to learn to swing with two different swing types. One when I am in pain and one when I am not in pain.

6. What gives you confidence on the golf course?

I can be me on the golf course. I relax and play my game, regardless of who is in my group. When I play golf, I PLAY golf, I don't work golf. Golf is fun.

7. Describe the best learning technique you have received from a professional?

A young PGA Professional at Paradise Valley G.C. gave me a lesson once. After watching me hit for about 15 minutes, he suggested that I step back and take a more rounded swing when I was in pain. That would eliminate some of the stress on the ribs. But he kept talking about keeping the game fun. Don't work too hard at getting better. That will happen faster if you are playing more, and the more fun it is, the more you will play. Thanks Aaron.

8. What advice would you give to a person with a disability who wanted to learn how to play?

Find an instructor you like and ask him or her to show you the basics. Learn to work with your disability, not against it. Then PLAY GOLF!