Joe Aperahama Flavell. Photo: Supplied to RNZ
Auckland is hosting the New Zealand All Abilities Golf Championship at Windross Farm in Ardmore this weekend, with one competitor opening up a new chapter in his tenacious sporting career.
Joe Aperahama Flavell is competing in his first golf tournament, but is no stranger to the bright lights.
Flavell was in the Warriors squad for three years around the turn of the century, and represented the New Zealand Māori Rugby League side.
After a serious car accident made him an above the knee amputee in 2008, Flavell competed in athletics, narrowly missing out on the Paralympics in 2012.
Now his sights are set on golf, a sport Flavell got back into thanks to one of his sons picking it up.
"He'd been playing through the beginning of last year and invited me for a game about October last year.
"I went out for it with them and he said, 'man, you're really good there. You should have a look at going further with golf,' and I was like, oh, OK, we'll see what happens."
Flavell is a natural at every sport he picks up, having started playing rugby as a two-year-old.
From there he went into soccer, hockey, softball and basketball before the Warriors came calling.
A relocation from Rotorua ensued to Auckland, where Flavell now lives with his family.
He has been training at Chamberlain Park Golf Club in Mt Albert, and was feeling good about his form ahead of his first championship.
Flavell will be playing on just one leg for the event, due to issues with his prosthetic, but that wasn't bothering him.
"My balance is quite good. I've been able to just stand on one leg and still hit the ball and still hit it reasonably straight."
Flavell's grandmother turns 95 this year, and he said along with his wife, she was the person behind his success.
"She's been my inspiration for playing sports, it has been big in our family.
"I knew that hopping through this new life of being of an amputee, sport was going to play a part in helping me beat depression."
Play gets under way tomorrow from midday, with 16 players teeing it up. Scores can be found here.
