For many, golf is a game of precision and patience. For Mark Clougherty, it has become a symbol of resilience, purpose, and healing. The Scottish-born Army veteran, now living in Northern Ireland, is preparing to make his debut on the G4D Tour at the Betfred British Masters. His journey to this point is anything but ordinary, shaped by years of military service, physical trauma, and the ongoing challenges of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). His story offers a powerful look at how adaptive sports can become a lifeline for those navigating life after service.

Clougherty, a former officer in the Royal Military Police, served in Iraq during the early 2000s. In 2003, while deployed in the Kuwait desert to rescue three engineers taken hostage, he narrowly escaped being crushed by a Challenger tank. At the time, he dismissed the incident. But days later, he began experiencing intense anger and mood swings. It wasn’t until years later that he would be diagnosed with PTSD, a condition that would shape much of his post-military life.

In 2005, as he prepared for a second deployment to Iraq, Clougherty was diagnosed with testicular cancer. Already off duty due to glandular fever, he received the diagnosis shortly after accompanying his young daughter to a medical appointment. The emotional toll was immediate. He recalls breaking down in tears before being admitted to a hospital in Hannover for radiotherapy. The experience marked the beginning of a series of health setbacks that would test his physical and mental endurance.

By 2009, Clougherty had relocated to Northern Ireland and was playing semi-professional football. A severe leg injury—fracturing both his tibia and fibula—ended his playing days and introduced a new layer of struggle. The injury led to Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), a condition that severely affects the nervous system and mobility in his right leg. The physical pain was compounded by emotional despair. He reached a low point where he contemplated taking his own life. It was only after an emotional phone call with a family liaison that he sought medical help and began receiving psychiatric care in Lisburn.

Clougherty’s PTSD, coupled with his cancer diagnosis and CRPS, created a complex web of challenges. He describes episodes of anxiety, mood swings, and intense anger. One particularly severe panic attack in 2019 left him gasping for air in his kitchen. The unpredictable nature of his condition made daily life difficult, but sport became a crucial outlet.

Initially, coaching football allowed Clougherty to stay connected with the game he loved while helping young players develop their skills. However, he felt he was doing it more for others than for himself. That changed in 2017 when Help for Heroes invited him to apply for the U.S. Air Forces trials for the DoD Warrior Games—a precursor to the Invictus Games. Despite initial hesitation, he applied and was selected to compete in cycling and indoor rowing. A flare-up of CRPS during a race highlighted the severity of his condition, but it didn’t stop him from exploring new avenues.

Later in 2018, Clougherty was introduced to wheelchair athletics. He quickly excelled and was selected to represent Team UK at the 2020 Invictus Games in The Hague. Although the event was postponed twice due to the pandemic, it finally took place in 2022. His performance was remarkable: one bronze and three gold medals in track events. The emotional weight of those victories was immense. He described being overwhelmed before the 1500m race and unable to look at his wife and friends in the stands. Yet he pushed through, delivering performances that far exceeded his expectations.

Clougherty’s involvement didn’t end there. In 2023, he served as a reserve and coach at the Invictus Games in Düsseldorf. While unable to compete, he found fulfillment in mentoring other athletes and watching them succeed. This shift from competitor to coach added a new dimension to his journey, reinforcing the value of community and shared experience in adaptive sports.

His discovery of EDGA (European Disabled Golf Association) came almost by chance while playing golf with his son during the winter of 2023. What began as casual rounds quickly evolved into a new passion. Within a year, Clougherty was competing in disability golf events across Europe. In January 2024, he won a tournament in Portugal by 11 shots, followed by another victory in Ireland in April. These accomplishments helped him overcome feelings of imposter syndrome, a recurring theme in his reflections. For the first time, he allowed himself to celebrate his success.

Now, as he prepares to compete alongside professionals on the G4D Tour, Clougherty remains grounded. He acknowledges lingering doubts about whether he belongs at such a high level but reminds himself that he earned his place. His eldest son, Cieran, will be on the bag as his caddie—a meaningful full-circle moment for a family that has weathered so much together.

Clougherty’s path to the G4D Tour is a testament to the power of perseverance and the role of adaptive sport in recovery. His story highlights the importance of mental health support, the resilience of veterans, and the healing potential of purpose-driven competition. For those navigating their own challenges, his journey offers a powerful reminder: progress may not be linear, but it is always possible.

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