Some critics argue the game of golf is devoid of characters, but those critics clearly haven’t met the Challenge Tour’s in-house entertainer – one John E Morgan.
In a world where sportsman are sometimes accused of taking themselves and their professions too seriously, Morgan goes against the grain in that he is rarely seen without a smile on his face – whether on or off the course.
His happy-go-lucky demeanour endears him to his fellow professionals, but Morgan’s bright and breezy exterior masks the serious health problems he has experienced since being diagnosed as epileptic 11 years ago, aged 21.
Since then Morgan has suffered seizures which have disrupted his career on a frequent basis, but a new dose of medication has seen him avoid surgery and given him hope that his darkest days may finally be behind him.
He said: “I’m still feeling like a bit of a space cadet because of the new medication I’ve been put on. I did have the option of having a brain operation at the start of the year, which I would’ve taken because a friend of mine had it done, and it went very well. But it would’ve meant I wouldn’t be able to play golf again. My problem area is at the front of my brain, so they would’ve removed that part of it and then inserted a wire from my brain through my shoulder to a pacemaker, which would’ve meant I wouldn’t be able to swing a club.
“So they decided instead to change my medication, and the new drugs they’ve given me are pretty strong. I’ve got to be careful when I’m out there playing, because it’s so easy to just switch off and lose focus. But I haven’t had a seizure in almost six months now, so they seem to be doing the trick. I’ll stick with them all the while I’m still playing, but once I’ve hung my clubs I’ll seriously think about having the operation, because my friend who had it done is now back driving again. I haven’t been able to drive for the past eight years – and I don’t think anyone would be brave enough to get in the car with me even if I was allowed!”
Whilst driving cars might still be off limits, Morgan is back driving golf ball to reasonable effect, as witnessed by encouraging performances in his two Challenge Tour appearances so far this season.
Morgan has returned to the Challenge Tour this year after graduating to The European Tour in 2008 on the back of a breathtaking performance at the season-ending Apulia San Domenico Grand Final, where he finished in a tie for second place thanks largely to a round of 61 on the third day.
The €24,950 he earned catapulted Morgan into 17th place in the final Rankings and gave him reason to believe that 2009 would see him make the breakthrough many observers believed he deserved.
He got off to an encouraging enough start by making the cut in his first five events, with a tie for ninth place at the Open de Andalucia de Golf his highest European Tour finish to date.
But then his health problems returned, which all but put pay to his hopes of retaining his playing privileges, and he would eventually end the year in 184th place in The Race to Dubai.
As befits a man whose glass is always half full, however, Morgan is looking forward, not back.
The 32 year old said: “I had four seizures when I was out on the course last season, so I had a tough time of it. If I’d managed to finish those four tournaments and played fairly well in them, it might’ve made the difference between keeping my card and losing it. At the Second Stage of Q School was where it really affected me the most.
“I’d been playing brilliant in the practice rounds, but then had a seizure on the first morning, and felt like a zombie for the next three days. I didn’t even play the fourth round, because there wasn’t much point – I didn’t know what time of day it was, or even my own name! So it was a really frustrating end to a disappointing season. But I’m back playing well and feeling much better this year, so hopefully I’ll give it a good go and show there’s life in the old dog yet!”
