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My Shot I broke my back and almost died, but I never doubted that I would play -- and win -- again
By Reilley Rankin
Courtney and I were unwinding at Lake Martin, 40 miles north of Montgomery, Ala., when I decided to conquer Chimney Rock, a 67-foot lakeside cliff. I wasn't so gung ho when I got to the top, but that didn't mean I wasn't determined. I stood on the rock and watched guys jump for an hour. Finally, I took a running leap. I landed on my butt. After struggling underwater for what seemed like an eternity, I bobbed to the surface. Courtney swam to me and helped get me ashore. I was having a hard time breathing, so Courtney rushed me to a hospital. An hour later, in the emergency room, I still didn't know what was wrong, but I felt I might die. I was really afraid when one of the seven doctors standing over me said I had broken my back and sternum, which had bruised my heart, lungs and aorta. The doctors were afraid to move me because they didn't have a heart surgeon on staff. I spent the next four months in a body brace. I missed golf, but every day I pretended it was raining and the course was closed. I was in rehab for 14 months and didn't play in a tournament again until last November. Winning at LSU made me so happy. As Courtney and I hugged and cried on the 18th green, she whispered, "Reilley, I am so proud of you, and thanks for proving that you're going to be all right." Rankin leads the Lady Bulldogs with a 73.06 scoring average. Issue date: May 7, 2001
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