Sophomore Russell Ohneck learned how to master the greens from the same golfer who gave lessons to Eric Lindros and Charles Barkley.

Only Ohneck is no superstar making millions of dollars. He was like any other ambitious athlete, trying to learn the game of golf -- but from his wheelchair.

With his perseverance and dedication, as lessons progressed, he was able to golf from his crutches, with one arm propping him up and one arm swinging the club.

As the scorecards were collected at the Intramural Golf Tournament last weekend, the pinnacle performance was obvious when Ohneck handed in his card. It wasn't the 126 he shot that made such an impression. Instead, it was the fact that he reported to the score table on crutches and left the Penn State Golf Course on a three-wheel scooter.

"Wow, that takes a lot of courage," Diane Baldwin, tournament coordinator, said. "I give him a lot of credit."

Ohneck was born with cerebral palsy, which is a term used to describe a group of chronic conditions affecting body movements and muscle coordination. He does not let the disability slow him down in the least bit. Rather, it serves as motivation.

"As you grow up, you learn to adapt," he said. "It's something I've overcome."

Ohneck considers himself a big spectator fan since his disability limits his physical activity. Fortunately for the West Chester native, an opportunity arose that would allow him to participate in athletics.

The game of golf.

Ohneck's golf interest blossomed 10 years ago when he became involved with the Golf Buddies Program through a Variety Club charity in Philadelphia. The program paired a disabled child up with a local PGA professional, who would teach his buddy how to swing from a wheelchair.

"Russell and I were kind of the start of the program," Ohneck's golf buddy Doug Hendricks said. "He has been the shining light for many years now."

Hendricks has given over 13,000 golf lessons, but none of them have been more rewarding than his experience with Ohneck, whom he refers to as his "little brother."

"Those guys [Lindros and Barkley] had every athletic gift, and Russell had no physical gift," Hendricks said. "He has a lot less than what they have."

Ohneck's and Hendricks' relationship was born on the golf course but exists way beyond the greens.

"He was one of the best things that ever happened to me," Hendricks said. "When I met Russell, I was not having

any children yet and meeting someone in his situation was amazing. We just hit it off."

Although the Golf Buddies Program requires pairs to get together every once in awhile, this duo puts extra time in on the course. Hendricks said Ohneck would hit anywhere between 150 and 200 balls per session while most kids just hit the ball in the air a few times.

"Russell is a hard worker. By nature he is a giver, and he has a bubbly personality," Hendricks said. "He's a young man with a physical disability that can warm any heart."

The meteorology major entered the intramural golf tournament with the intentions of spending some time away from his studies and enjoying the day outside. He walked away with something else though -- an IM T-shirt. His team, Irvin-Rock Solid, was awarded second place in the team division.

"It's exciting to know our team succeeded and we were a competitive threat," Ohneck said.

Ohneck seems to be more than a competitive threat, though. It's obvious that he's an inspiration to everyone around him.