UGA golfer helps amputee get prosthetic leg

Lee McCoy was just happy to have someone in the gallery.

"We don't get many spectators in college tournaments," said McCoy, a senior golfer at UGA.

McCoy was playing in a college tournament in Athens, a little bleary eyed after finishing fourth in the Valspar Championship on the PGA Tour. He drove back to Athens where Glenn Mullian made sure to check out the talented McCoy.

"He just beat Jordan Spieth so I wanted to go out live and see him in action," said Mullian.

The 61-year-old Statham resident Mullian played his college golf at Georgia. He went on to a very successful amateur career, especially on the senior amateur circuit in Virginia. Twice he qualified for the U.S. Senior Open.

At one hole during that college tournament where McCoy had some time before he needed to hit, he sat down on a bench and heard Mullian's story.

"They told me is it's an absolute miracle I survived," said Mullian.

In May of 2011, Mullian was in a serious one-car accident in Virginia where he lived at the time.

"I was 6-8 weeks in intensive care, I don't remember any of that," said Mullian. "Six months in the hospital. Two years of rehabilitation at home. Quite a journey, quite a journey."

Among other injuries, Mullian lost his right leg. McCoy, hearing this story, realized he could help. McCoy has a family friend in Tampa, Florida that runs a charity called "50 Legs" which helps amputees find prosthetic limbs.

"All I did was make a connection, but it turned out to be a little more special than I thought it might be," said McCoy.

Mullian got in touch with the charity and, about a month ago, went to Orlando, Florida to get his new prosthetic leg. He's had prostheses before, but this one is lighter and the ankle works much better, allowing Mullian to get back to golf, the game he loves.

"He didn't have to offer it up to me or say two words to me that day. He could've concentrated, done his own thing," said Mullian. "He reached out and said, 'I think I can help you.' He followed up and got the wheels spinning."

McCoy and Mullian have stayed in touch, with McCoy offering occasional tips on how Mullian can improve his golf game despite injuries -- Mullian says lingering shoulder and wrist injuries are also an issue.

The current and former UGA golfers are still learning from one another, and hope to stay in touch as each move forward in their golf and life journeys.

McCoy and Georgia golf start the NCAA Championships on Friday in Eugene, Oregon.