By BRAD MYERS

The News Journal

SMYRNA -- Barbara Ulbinsky watched her husband, Charlie, hit another golf ball down the range. The shot drifted a little right, but the smile on his face said it all.

"This is a good day," she said.

That is exactly what John Horne wanted to hear. Horne, president and founder of Independence Prosthetics-Orthotics in Newark, recently put together an amputee golf clinic at Name of the Game Golf Range. The goal was modest.

"This is just a nice way to get us off our couches and have some fun," he said.

But it turned out to be much more. Some of the participants had played golf before; some hadn't. But all found the chance to get some fresh air, enjoy lunch, socialize and hit a good shot or two more fulfilling than they ever expected.

And at least one rediscovered a neglected talent.

Keith Powell, 38, of Wilmington, hadn't been out much since his right leg was amputated in April because of complications from diabetes. He said he had played golf before, but it had been five or six years. That didn't stop him from smacking several solid iron shots right down the middle of the range, much to his surprise.

"It's been uplifting," Powell said. "I wanted to get out and see what I could do again. Now that I'm out here, I know I can hit the ball."

Powell's wife, Luanne Powell, said sharing an activity with other amputees was the best part of the clinic.

"It's wonderful for him," she said. "In the beginning, everybody comes around and gives you support. But then, it settles down. It's great for him to see these other people and see that life goes on.

"Yeah, it's a tragedy, but we did all we could to heal this wound. And now, life goes on and we keep plugging away."

Charlie Ulbinsky, 62, of Elsmere, has been plugging away since he suffered an aneurysm in December 2003.

"He went into the hospital with back pain, and came out with no legs," Barbara Ulbinsky said. "But they didn't expect him to live. He's got a lot of gumption."

Charlie settled into a wheelchair and started banging out iron shots with remarkable consistency. Rocky Bluewinkle, the Blue Rocks mascot who was on hand to provide entertainment, sauntered across the range in front of the golfers, daring them to hit him with a ball.

Within three shots, he felt the sting of one of Charlie's guided missiles.

"I loved it. I absolutely loved it," Charlie said afterward. "I did better than I thought I would."

Barbara Ulbinsky said Charlie "used to go out and play golf. He used to enjoy golf very much. For him to get to come out here and do this again, it's wonderful."

That was music to the ears of Horne, who hit several fine shots himself. He was diagnosed with bone cancer in high school, and his right leg was amputated 16 years ago.

He became a certified prosthetist and orthotist, working to help fellow amputees maintain or regain their independence. He also tries to keep things fun along the way, the idea behind the clinic.

"It's not that much stress on the lower limbs," Horne said of golf. "Obviously you need balance and stability, but a lot of these fellas can hit the ball pretty well."

Horne encourages amputees to be active, and tries to bring them together. His next idea for an outing is driving Go Karts at Mid-Atlantic Grand Prix in New Castle.

"He's also lost a limb, so he knows what they're going through," Barbara Ulbinsky said of Horne.

After lunch, it was time for a little more golf and a few more shots at Rocky.

"It doesn't feel like I'm hitting it just right, but it feels a lot better than sitting at home, doing nothing," Charlie Ulbinsky said. "The biggest thing is, I enjoy the people. This amputee group is a bunch of good guys and gals. We get along extremely well and work as a great support group for each other."

A little shy at the start of the clinic, Keith Powell quickly warmed up, both with his golf game and socially.

"It's a great thing to see people get out and hit the ball and enjoy themselves," he said. "I'm still building up my stamina, but I'm starting to hit some good ones. I'm pleased."