Heller and Bowker cherish experience, Doylestown showcases new clubhouse
DOYLESTOWN, Pa. – Golf has always been a part of Fred Heller’s life.
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He grew up in the game, played in high school and graduated from Coastal Carolina University’s PGA Golf Management program with eyes on the business. Since 2008, Heller has served in some capacity on the Rolling Green Golf Club professional staff. This January, he was named Head Professional.
At the inaugural GAP Adaptive Championship, Heller finished first in the Above Knee Impairment Category.
His journey to this Championship is a winding one.
As a 16-year-old, he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma: A type of bone cancer that occurs when malignant cells form in the bone. Osteosarcoma usually starts in the ends of long bones, like those in the arms and legs. It often forms near the knee or shoulder joints.
For Heller, it was his right knee and tibia.
Doctors replaced his knee and removed a 7½ inch section of his tibia bone. They inserted a steel rod to replace that portion.
However, over the next decade the rod in his leg loosened and infection set in.
In 2018, he had 14 surgeries in attempts to flush and clean the area.
With no positive developments, Heller finally made the decision to remove the leg from just above the knee in May 2019. Heller headed to rehab three months later and Adaptive Golf entered the equation for the first time.

“As part of the rehab, I started hitting balls there,” said Heller, 34, of Schnecksville, Pa. “It crossed my mind that I would never play golf again, but I was just trying to survive. Just trying to live. I didn’t know Adaptive Golf even existed until they showed me a brochure for Bob Buck and the Eastern Amputee Golf Association.”
Heller does his part for the Adaptive community.
He serves as a board member on the GAP Adaptive Golf Committee.
Additionally, Heller volunteers his time for GAP’s No Limit Clinics.
He understands the efforts in that space mean greater things on the horizon.
“It’s an opportunity to spread the word, spread the game, get more people into Adaptive Golf and have more people recognize Adaptive Golf, honestly,” said Heller, who claimed the 2022 Pennsylvania Amputee Open Championship at Hanover Country Club. “I think the USGA and all allied golf associations should see what this committee did for these two days, and they should try to mimic it. They should make more events like this.”
Bowker brings passion, smooth swing to GAP Adaptive
When Albert Bowker puts on his sporty sunglasses he’s no longer Albert.
He’s Chaz.
The Buellton, Calif. resident has been a staple in the Adaptive Golf community for a number of years. He inspires anyone he meets with a beaming personality and splendid style.
Tuesday at Doylestown Country Club, Bowker won the Short Stature Division of the inaugural GAP Adaptive Championship.
“To be here at the inaugural GAP Adaptive Championship means a lot,” Bowker, 27, said. “We are not only here for ourselves but we are here to spread awareness for Adaptive Golf. We are trying to inspire the next generation and show them that if you work hard you can accomplish anything.”
Bowker, who works in outside operations at Alisal Ranch Golf Course in the Santa Ynez Valley in Solvang, Calif., found the game of golf early in life. At the expense of his grandfather.

“I started playing golf when I was a 6-year-old in San Diego,” Bowker said. “I hit my grandpa on the shin with a golf ball and saw him fall down. I laughed, which probably wasn’t the right thing to do but it’s honestly where my golf journey started. Growing up, I knew team sports weren’t going to be for me. I knew golf was an independent sport, so I stuck with that, worked hard and built myself up.”
He’s built quite a reputation and following on and off the golf course. On the golf course this season, he finished second in the United States Disabled Golf Association Championship in Florida and placed in a tie for 14th overall in the U.S. Adaptive Open in Kansas.
Off the golf course, he has 6,150 followers on Instagram. His handle (@chazonehunit) shows his life in golf as well as his affinity for two-wheeled dirt bikes and motorcycles. He’s got a need for speed on the streets and on the first tee. His profile description says, “I’m 4’4” and I like to hit it far.”
He helps out with Monster Energy and Nitro. You can see him at the X Games and at Supercross events in California where those bikes kick the dust up.
Bowker said the Adaptive Golf Community has made a huge impact on his life and journey. They are a traveling band of sorts. Seeing each other on the Adaptive Golf circuit and becoming a close-knit community.
“This community is truly inspiring,” Bowker said. “Because not only can I talk to somebody about things because they have been through it but the friendships and companionships you have through the game is amazing. One of my best friends is Mariano Tubio. I met him through this community and since he lives in Argentina we keep up with each other through FaceTime. Because of golf we are all brought together.”
The smooth swinger was brought to tears as he sat behind the 18th green with his category trophy. His hard work and dedication shows but his passion shines brighter.
“I just want to show that no matter what you put your mind to, no matter your size, disability or whatever’s in your way, you can go out and have a good time,” Bowker said. “I love being out there showing what I am doing because if somebody sees it they are going to want to do it.”
Doylestown doubles down in hosting GAP Adaptive Championship
A lot of new has found its way to Doylestown Country Club this year.
The club finished a $10 million clubhouse renovation earlier this year and was on display by co-hosting the first GAP Adaptive Championship with Lookaway Golf Club.
“Our club has a great sense of community,” Doylestown’s Head Golf Professional Patrick Shine said. “They realize hosting this championship is a great way to give back. I don’t think any of us realized the depths of which it involved, so I think it has been a happy surprise. The event took on a much bigger scale than I thought. At first, I think most people thought it was just local players competing. But to have 55 players from 20 states and four countries come to play in this event turned into quite an undertaking. But it was an extremely worthwhile undertaking.”
Shine, in his second season at Doylestown after spending the previous 17 years at Commonwealth National Golf Club, said the club knew hosting was the right thing to do.
“The biggest thing that I learned was how happy all of the people in this community are,” Shine, 50, of Perkasie, Pa., said. “To be as happy as they are with the challenges they face was inspiring. It is a great reminder for all of us to not be so down about our own golf games but to enjoy the opportunities we are given to play this game.”
Doylestown isn’t stopping at the clubhouse with its improvements. The next step is to restore the William Flynn-designed gem. The club is placing a priority on investing in its members and community to continue the historic legacy of the club.
“It was a happy circumstance to be able to host this event on the back of the renovation of our clubhouse,” Shine said. “Being able to showcase our club is more about giving back to the community. The club has put a higher responsibility on being a good partner to our neighbors in our community. Hosting this event is another step in that direction.”
GAP Adaptive
In 2024, GAP (Golf Association of Philadelphia) launched GAP Adaptive to continue its mission of promoting, preserving and protecting the game of golf for all. GAP’s Adaptive Golf committee opened the season with its first program titled No Limit Clinics, a season-long series of instructional Adaptive Golf events taking place at various GAP Member Clubs. The GAP Adaptive season culminates with the GAP Adaptive Championship, a WR4GD-counting event. The field consists of local and international Adaptive Golfers.
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