TAMPA — Retired Marine Corps Sergeant Mike Nicholson fell in love with golf the first time he picked up a club. 

"Mike grew up playing golf and he loves the game,” Nicholson’s mom, Mary Nicholson recounted. "He was on the golf team in high school, he played while he was in the Marines.” 

Nicholson served in the Marines for five years, including deployments to Japan and Afghanistan. 

On July 6, 2011, Nicholson’s life changed forever. 

"I was walking on a dismounted patrol, just next to the Helmand River, and I stepped on a 40-pound IED,” Nicholson said. “Luckily, I had a Navy corpsman in front of me, and another Marine behind me to help me out immediately — without them, I wouldn’t be here.” 

Nicholson lost both legs, his left arm and suffered a traumatic brain injury in the blast. 

His life was saved, it seemed impossible that he would every play golf again. 

"Once I got wounded I thought it was kind of over,” Nicholson said. 

But a couple of years ago, Nicholson was introduced to a golf cart that would change that.  

"Pretty much straps me in and lets me stand up to almost a standing position so, it kind of mimics me having legs,” Nicholson said. 

The SoloRider is a customizable golf cart that has allowed him to get back in the game. But relearning how to play with one arm was something Nicholson had to do on his own. 

"It was a little frustrating at first,” Nicholson said. "I almost gave it up my first couple times, but just kept going at it.” 

And he succeeded. 

"Don’t say Mike can’t do something, because Mike will prove you wrong,” Mary Nicholson said. 

Nicholson has embraced and thrived in adaptive sports. 

He competed in swimming and wheelchair track in last year’s Warrior Games, earning seven gold medals. 

But being back on the golf course is something special — for both, Nicholson and his family.  

"Words can’t even explain it — really can’t,” Mary Nicholson said. “His determination is what has gotten him through all of this.” 

Showing us all that in the game of golf and in life, our mental strength is what carries us. 

"I’m missing three limbs and I’m still able to do quite more than I thought I was capable of so, don’t ever think anything’s impossible,” Nicholson said. "There are definitely ways you can work around it to be able to go out and play a sport you love.”