‘Bionic’ Athletes Tee Off For Arthritis

Nearly 65 players put their golf swing to the test in the Bionic Golf Tournament at the Classic Club in Palm Desert on Monday. The golfers weren’t exactly the “bionic” man or woman from the 1970’s television shows, but Dr. Raj Sinha from S.T.A.R Orthopaedics says bionic athletes are those who get artificial joints from a hip, shoulder or knee replacement.

“A good amount of our players today have artificial joints, some have several artificial joints. They truly are bionic!” said Sinha.

Some of the bionic players said thanks to their artificial joints — their game was in full swing. Orville Bingley was one of them, who underwent two hip replacements 12 years ago.

“I’m out here to play some golf and see if my hips can still take it,” said Bingley.

Many of the participants in the golf tournament are affected by arthritis. They played with hopes of helping find a cure.

All proceeds raised from the tournament will benefit the Coachella Valley Arthritis Foundation. The Centers for Disease Control said one in five Americans suffer from arthritis, however, here in the Coachella Valley one in three have the disease.

“It’s not just your grandparents’ disease, all ages are affected,” said Monica Carballo, the executive director of the Coachella Valley Arthritis Foundation.

The foundation and the tournament’s sponsor, S.T.A.R Orthopaedics, hoped the event would also raise awareness that people with artificial joints or arthritis can get back into living an active lifestyle.

Bill Stolbach, of Rancho Mirage, doesn’t suffer from arthritis, but he said before his knee replacement he felt “absolutely a lot of pain, the worst.”

At the tournament he said things have changed and he can once again play the game he’s always loved.

“The pain is gone and I can live a normal life and play golf,” said Stolbach.