Anyone who has ever sweated or grumbled over a difficult golf shot will be amazed when seeing how Dennis Walters handles those shots with ease and accuracy – and some really weird golf clubs.
Walters is coming to the Ariss Valley Golf Club on Aug. 28 as a fundraiser for KidsAbility, and even the top golfing professionals are saying it is well worth any golfer’s time. The following players have more majors than a perennial student, and they love what Walters does. Their comments are posted on Walters’ website.
“It’s one of the most entertaining hours I’ve ever seen," said Jack Nicklaus.
“Dennis does a wonderful job with his Golf Show and is an inspiration to us all,” according to Arnold Palmer.
“Dennis has been nothing short of fantastic in his performance during the Tiger Woods Golf Foundation Junior Golf Clinics,” said Tiger Woods. “His knowledge, skill, and performance bring delight to all.”
Gary Player adds, "Dennis Walters is a great example of skill, courage and determination for everyone in the world to see.”
The show is a one hour combination of golf mastery and human inspiration. It is great golf, great fun, and a great message.
Walters said on his website, “The show is also about dreams. My dream was always to be a golfer. I had an accident 34 years ago that left me paralyzed from the waist down and it was looking pretty bleak for my dream. I found there were a lot of things I couldn’t do, but there was no way I was giving up playing golf. I use my own experience to encourage all to reach for their dreams. My message is that with hard work and perseverance, you can achieve success at almost anything.”
The show lasts about an hour and is a demonstration of precision golf from start to finish.
Walters said, “The trick shots, or as I like to call them, shots from unusual lies, are done with a wide variety of items. My theory is that if you have a good swing you can hit good shots with almost anything – and I prove this by hitting precise shots with clubs made from a fishing rod, a crutch, a radiator hose, and a cell phone.
Having trouble with irons? Walters has clubs especially made for him.
“I also have a club with 3 universal joints on the shaft and a club with 3 heads (my 3 iron). I hit shots blindfolded, through fire, and while the balls are rolling down a ramp. Other highlights you will see in the show are shots hit off three foot high tees, off a watch, and with an egg balanced on the ball.
“And of course, let’s not forget to mention the 220 yard putt’.
None of these would be possible without my custom built Yamaha golf cart. The special swivel seat allows me to recreate a natural golf swing, which makes the cart one of my most important pieces of equipment.
Background information and golf tips are always included in the show, which also includes an opening act – Super Dog, Benji Hogan, the touring pro from the Miami Dog Pound. He does a variety of tricks, but is best known for his uncanny ability to correctly answer math problems, golf trivia questions, and general information questions. He does that by barking out the answer.
Walters said, “I ask him a few questions, just to get him warmed up and then I encourage the audience to try and stump him. The crowd also plays a major role in the show, as there is much audience participation. Items such as Jelly Bellies, a Nautica watch, and a can of Arizona Ice Tea, are given out during the show.
The show moves along with the trick shot presentation and concludes with the inspiring message that very few things in this world are impossible if you are willing to work hard and persevere.
Ariss Valley Golf Club general manager Phil Brace said that head golfing pro Paul Cotey has known Walters for over 20 years, having met him when he was doing a show at one of Arnold Palmer’s golf tournaments.
Brace added that Cotey also is aware of the need for cash for KidsAbility, and so the fundraiser was created.
KidsAbility-Centre for Child Development is a charitable organization established in 1957 to help children with disabilities.
It is committed to partnerships with individuals and agencies to enhance the services available to children with disabilities.
It has offices in Fergus, Cambridge, Guelph, and Kitchener.
Tickets for the show are $15 for adults and children under 12 pay $5. The show runs on Aug. 27 at 7pm. Ariss Valley Golf Club is at emergency number 5100 on Highway 86, near Ariss. For tickets, phone 519-824-1551, or contact KidsAbility. Other local golf courses also have tickets available.
Refreshments will be available.
