Born in 1992 in Zvenyhorodka, Ukraine, Alex Fourie entered the world facing significant challenges. Born with only one arm and a cleft lip and palate—conditions he attributes to lingering radiation from the Chernobyl disaster—he spent his first seven years in Ukrainian orphanages. In 1999, weighing just 35 pounds, he was adopted by South African missionaries Anton and Elizabeth Fourie and brought to the United States.
Shortly after his arrival, Alex’s adoptive parents introduced him to golf, placing a club in his hand within his first week in the U.S. This gesture ignited a lifelong passion. Despite his physical challenges, Alex honed his skills, eventually becoming the #1 one-armed golfer in the United States and a Level One PGA Golf Instructor.
In August 2024, Alex achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first PGA professional with a disability to be hired as a head pro at The 500 Club in Statesville. Reflecting on this achievement, he shares, “I get goosebumps because my goal is to inspire people, especially people with disabilities, that they can do anything. Don’t use your disability as a disability … use your disability as an ability—to promote, to fight, to rise.”
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Alex is deeply committed to giving back. He founded Single Hand Golf, an organization dedicated to introducing children with adaptive needs to the sport of golf. Through this initiative, he has raised over $120,000 to support Ukrainian orphans, partnering with Hope Now Ministries to relocate more than 4,000 children to safety amidst ongoing conflicts.
Alex plays every round of life with heart and hustle. No matter the challenges, he refuses to lay up when he can go for the green. His journey proves that faith, resilience, and a fearless spirit can turn even the toughest course into a triumph. With every swing, he’s showing the world that obstacles aren’t roadblocks—they’re just part of the game.
