Injured Army veteran represents GB at golf in US

An injured Army veteran has been chosen to represent Great Britain in a golf competition against the US.

The Simpson Cup is an international tournament for wounded and injured military veterans, taking place from Sunday at Shady Oaks Country Club in Texas.

Steve Dickinson, 61, from Peterborough, needed a complete knee replacement for an injury he got after serving with the British Army in the first Gulf War in 1991.

He has been selected for the team for the third consecutive time and said: “Having served my country in uniform, being given the opportunity to represent Great Britain again through sport is something I am immensely proud of.”

The Simpson Cup has been running since 2012 and raises funds and awareness for the work of the On Course Foundation, which supports the recovery of wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans through golf events and opportunities for employment in the golf industry.

The Ryder Cup-style tournament “showcases the unique position of golf as one of the few sports where players of all skills and abilities can play together on a level playing field, because of the official golf handicap system”, the foundation said.

Dickinson plays at Peterborough Milton Golf Club and his handicap is 11.7. He served with the Army Catering Corps between 1981 and 1995.

Team GB currently leads the US by seven wins to six in the annual competition.

Speaking about the work of the foundation, Dickinson said: “It helps us get back into civilian life, and the camaraderie, the friendship – it’s just about us getting together.

“My injury is nothing compared to these guys – some of them are limbless, mine was just playing football in the Army in Cyprus after the Gulf War.

“I got injured and five years ago I had a full knee replacement and that’s still ongoing and I need it replacing again. So it’s never ending — the injury’s always there.”

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