Fred Gutierrez

Half Paralyzed, Twice Strong Fred Gutierrez

Sometimes hope can be hard to find--like in the high desert of Willard, NM, where Fred Gutierrez spends his early years under a cloud of hunger, abuse, and fear. In a privileged South Florida community, Rich O'Brien enjoys golfing on Bermuda greens and studying psychology before coaching collegiate golf. Sometimes it's easy to take good days for granted. Fred and Rich have nothing at all in common--until horrific events leave both men nearly dead. By the time they meet in coastal Carolina, Rich is on the path to a full recovery and remarkable golf comeback. But Rich is unaware that his miracles have been fueled by the faithful prayers of a disabled veteran he barely knows--Fred Gutierrez, who remains trapped in excruciating pain and paralysis more than sixteen years post-injury. When Rich agrees to coach Fred in achieving a dream to play one-armed golf, Fred rediscovers the iron resolve that first enabled him to survive his fiery ordeal. Will it be enough for what lies ahead? "One of the most inspiring golf stories I have seen in my forty years of journalism." Al Tays, Assistant Managing Editor, golfchannel.com