An Irish cop who lost most of his sight in 9/11 attacks becomes a top golfer

He spared no thought for his safety during 9/11 and its harrowing aftermath, a recovery effort which cost him his eyesight, but taking part in the Blind US Open Golf Championship was a whole different story for former Irish cop Paul McCormack

An Irish cop who lost most of his sight in the 9/11 atrocity has become a top golfer.

Paul McCormack’s life changed forever when he answered the call to the Twin Towers in New York on September 11, 2001.

McCormack, who is originally from Ballybofey in Co Donegal, joined the New York Police Department in 1990.

In 2001, he was captain of the force’s 41st Precinct, which includes much of South Bronx, when the terrorists struck.

Like all his fellow officers McCormack worked closely with his colleagues clearing the scene of 9/11 to help the Big Apple return to some state of normality.

He spent the next three months, seven days a week, at Ground Zero, clearing debris and body parts from the scene.

The gases, chemicals and debris would burn into his eyes but he gave it very little thought as he battled to do the job in hand.

“I spent all of my time down there, on the pile, doing the bucket brigade — doing whatever I could to help,” he said. “You’d come across body parts or bodies, and you had to show the proper respect. It was a very — I don’t want to say religious experience — but it was a very moving one,” he told Green Valley News golf website.

Over time however, the Irishman’s eyesight gradually got worse meaning he couldn’t do things like drive a police car or shoot his gun — necessities of a New York cop.

He eventually retired in 2010.

“I had a good career. I was an inspector at the time I retired,” he said. “But I couldn’t shoot and I couldn’t drive at the time, which are two things you need to do to be an officer. I have no regrets. I loved my time in the NYPD. Stuff happens in life, and you’ve got to thank God for what you have.”

During his two-decade-long tenure with the NYPD, McCormack had come to love the sport of golf, playing courses around the city with his precious downtime.

He gave up the game after 9/11, as his deteriorating eyesight made hitting the links a pipe dream.

McCormack, now 47, who estimates he has just 20% vision left, got back into golf last year at a charity fundraiser.

He played with longtime friend Karl Pierce, who recommended McCormack join the Irish Blind Golf Society — a nonprofit organisation dedicated to helping people who wanted to keep golfing, regardless of visual impairments.

McCormack was picked, along with 19-year-old Irishman Patrick Morgan, to travel to Green Valley and play in last weekend’s US Blind Open Championship at Haven Golf Course.

McCormack jumped at the opportunity to return to competitive golf and brought Pierce to be his coach for the two-day event.

The father of four says he’s grateful for the opportunity to play with people who understand his condition.

“I actually get choked up about it,” he said.

“Because, to be able to be a part of something like this is amazing. I didn’t have an outlet to compete. I didn’t. I’d go to my kids’ sports, but for me personally, I didn’t have an outlet where I could go out and enjoy something like this.

“It can get really frustrating to have a visual impairment. And you can get depressed if you let it get to you. But when you have good people helping you, like my coach and good friend Karl Pierce, it gets a little easier.”

McCormack and Pierce spent dozens of hours during the winter preparing for the tournament in Pierce’s shack behind his house, where he has a putting green, along with a hitting mat and net, set up.

McCormack said teeing off on the first hole at Saturday’s opening round was a nerve-wracking experience.

“That first shot was something that I hadn’t experienced in a long time,” he said.

“I almost hyperventilated. I lost all pretence of how I should hit the shot. I just wanted to get it done.”

But all the practise and sweating paid off after McCormack ended up winning the tournament.

“It was such a great experience. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I could do this and it will push me on to try and keep playing at the highest level,” he said.