North Allegheny grad Hartle represents Western Pennsylvania at U.S. Adaptive Open
By Josh Rowntree, Director of Communications • July 18, 2025
Growing up, golf was never really a thought for Harley Hartle.
But Hartle, who had his life forever changed due to a car accident as a child, has discovered an unbreakable love for the game that led him to the nation’s highest competition for people dealing with impairments.
“I wasn’t much of a sports guy before losing my arm,” said Hartle, who had an amputation between his right wrist and elbow at nine years old following a car accident. “That experience gave me a new perspective. I opened my eyes and pushed me to put myself out there more.”
Without the use of a right arm and standing at 5-foot-3, Hartle searched for opportunities to get involved in sports. He played for the North Allegheny football team, winning a state championship in 2012. But football proved to not be the right fit.
“I didn’t know what sport I wanted to play,” he said. “But, during my freshman year of high school, my chemistry teacher who was also the wrestling coach needed someone in my weight class. I started wrestling that year and fell in love with it.”
As a senior in 2015, Hartle competed well in the sport. But when high school ended, Hartle was left without a way to compete.
“Golf was never on my radar,” he said. “Honestly, I was the kind of kid who thought golf was weird and not for me. I was a wrestler, and I wanted something more physical. I had that macho-man attitude.”
But that mindset broke a bit when a fellow counselor at Camp STAR — a youth summer camp for children who have experienced amputations — invited him to play golf.
“I was invited to an adaptive golf scramble,” said Hartle, who attended Camp STAR as a child. “My uncle had given me an old set of MacGregor’s, his grandpa’s clubs. There were Persimmon clubs in there. Even with that old set, I had fun. That’s when I started thinking, ‘Maybe I can take this seriously.’
“I’ve always been the kind of person who, once I start something, I want to keep pushing myself to get better. Golf became a passion, a hobby and, eventually, a career.”
Hooked on the game, Hartle began making connections in the sport. He saw how other people were adapting their golf swings to their impairment, figured out how to expertly grip the club with just the use of one hand, and his game took off.
“I started playing competitively about three years ago,” said Hartle, who this past week played in his second U.S. Adaptive Open. “Honestly, competitive adaptive golf is still pretty new in general. At first, I didn’t even think I could compete, but once the opportunity came, I jumped right in.”
The 4th U.S. Adaptive Open was held at Woodmont Country Club in Rockville, Md. this past week. Hartle, along with McKean, Pa. Native Kellie Valentine, represented Western Pennsylvania in the contest crafted specifically for adaptive golfers.
Hartle, competing in the Upper Limb Impairment division, shot 11-over for the first two days of the competition, narrowly missing the cut into the third and final round of the event.
“I’ve always been competitive, and I wanted to test myself and see how I stack up against the rest of the world,” he said. “These tournaments give us that chance.”
The USGA began the U.S. Adaptive Open four years ago, giving players dealing with forms of physical and intellectual impairments a chance to compete against people with similar impairments. Both regionally, nationally and internationally, adaptive golf tournaments have been popping up yearly.
Players are divided into 15 categories based on their impairment. The U.S. Adaptive Open also has an overall leaderboard for men and women to compete in.
Hartle was one of 11 players competing in the Upper Limb Impairment division. His scores of 76—79 were good enough for sixth in the division, with the top four players making the cut. But being able to compete — particularly in front of a solid support system around him — more than eased the disappointment of failing to reach the final day of the Championship.
“I had a lot of support out there,” said Hartle, who was accompanied by his wife, Amanda, who he married in April. The two are currently expecting their first child, as well.
“Alex (Kennedy), who is the assistant pro at Chartiers Country Club, was my caddy. My uncle even flew in from Florida, which was amazing because I hadn’t seen him in a while.
“Of course, my mom came, and even my wife’s mom was there. A lot of people from back home sent messages, too, just to say, ‘you did great.’ It means a lot to have that kind of love and support, no matter how you play.”
Even from one year to the next, Hartle has seen a strong improvement in the infrastructure necessary to host such a large field of players from all over the world, who require varying degrees of assistance and support while playing, traveling and staying in the host town.
“They’ve made some great accommodations on the course,” he said. “One of the coolest things is how seated players can play more, ball-down, where it lies.
“As far as the tournament setup and communication, it’s still a work in progress. They’re figuring out how to make it fair and improve pace of play. But it’s growing every year, and I think the organizers are doing a great job. I’m excited to see where it goes from here.”
Hartle hopes to continue making adaptive golf a major part of his life moving forward. He’s optimistic that he can grow his game and connections even further, allowing him to travel and play in more adaptive competitions throughout the world.
To do that, he knows that it’s important for clubs and courses to be accommodating and amenable to allowing adaptive players the chance to use their facilities. He saw firsthand the benefit of that, as the staff at Chartiers Country Club allowed him to practice at the course leading up to this year’s U.S. Adaptive Open.
He also knows that, beyond courses, it takes everyone involved in adaptive sports and beyond to bolster those looking to play the game, whether that’s recreationally or competitively.
“It’s everything,” he said. “The biggest thing is showing others that we’re all the same. Every opportunity that was given to me is available to others, too.
“When I was younger, I felt like an outsider. The camp I went to helped me realize I wasn’t alone. These events, especially the Adaptive Open, let you hear stories like yours and meet people who’ve been through similar things. It’s incredible to be able to connect like that.”
For any media inquiries, please contact WPGA Director of Communications Josh Rowntree.
About the WPGA
Founded in 1899, the Western Pennsylvania Golf Association is the steward of amateur golf in the region. Started by five Member Clubs, the association now has nearly 200 Member Clubs and nearly 37,000 members. The WPGA conducts 14 individual competitions and 10 team events, and administers the WPGA Scholarship Fund and Western Pennsylvania Golf Hall of Fame.