October 29, 2024
Amateur Golfer Back on the Course Playing Pain Free
Gordy McKeown has always been an avid golfer. The Arkansas native grew up playing golf and continued at the collegiate level before playing professionally for a short time. Later, Gordy returned to the course as a way to stay active and maintain his competitiveness. He regained his amateur status—qualifying for U.S. Amateur, U.S. Mid-Amateur, and U.S. Senior Amateur—and won championships at both the local and state level.
A hip injury set Gordy back in 2015, but after recovering from a successful labrum surgery, he was able to return to the game without pain for several years.
However, in 2022, Gordy’s hip pain returned. As the pain began to interfere with his daily activities, he made an appointment to see Dr. C. Lowry Barnes, an orthopedic surgeon specializing in hip and knee joints at UAMS Health. Dr. Barnes assessed Gordy’s condition and referred him to his colleague, Dr. Larry O’Malley, who discussed potential treatment options and recommended a physical therapy plan to manage the pain and improve the functionality of his hip.
“The staff at UAMS has treated me like they had my best interest in mind,” Gordy said. “From Ms. Fonda, who helps set appointments, to Steven Gebhardt, DPT, who has done a great job as a physical therapist. They have always taken their time to ask and answer questions.”
Today, Gordy is back to his active lifestyle and back on the golf course feeling great.
“Last week I traveled to Georgia to play in the International Senior Team Championship representing Arkansas,” said McKeown. “It was the first time in two years I’ve played for four days in a row without any pain. Our team didn’t bring home the championship, but playing pain-free was my biggest win in quite some time. I look forward to expanding my playing schedule next year knowing if something comes up, I have a great team in my corner.”
Recently, Gordy teamed up with Dr. Barnes to play in the inaugural Simmons Bank Championship Pro-Am at Pleasant Valley Country Club in Little Rock. Watch the video interview.
“It’s fun to watch somebody like that get back to doing the things they love doing, Barnes said. “That’s what orthopedics is about. We do what we do to help people do what they want to do.”
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