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Golfer Injured in Water Skiing Mishap

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Associated Press

Professional golfer Jim Nelford was listed in fair condition Monday at Scottsdale Memorial Hospital after suffering severe injuries in a boating accident a day earlier on Saguaro Lake.

Nelford, 30, a native of Vancouver, British Columbia, had been water skiing and was struck by the boat when it made a pass to pick him up. Hospital officials said Nelford suffered severe cuts to his right arm, thigh and back.

He underwent 2 1/2 hours of surgery late Sunday night.

Maricopa County sheriff’s officials were investigating the accident, which happened near Burro Beach Cove.

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Nelford won the 1975 and 1976 Canadian Amateur and turned pro in 1977. In 1984 he lost in a playoff to Hale Irwin in the Bing Crosby Pro-Am, his best finish as a pro. He finished second to Fuzzy Zoeller in the 1983 Sea Pines Heritage Classic, losing by two strokes.

In 1984, he won $80,470, which was 76th on the Professional Golfers’ Assn. money list. His career earnings totalled $364,666 going into the 1985 season.

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