Katie Walker, 2009 Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open Ambassador

Katie Walker, 19, is the 2009 Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open Ambassador for the PGA TOUR event benefiting Shriners Hospitals for Children.

Katie became a patient at Shriners Hospitals for Children — Los Angeles when she was almost a year old. Born with a heart murmur, one kidney, an improperly formed gastrointestinal tract and a missing tibia, Katie underwent her first surgeries to repair some of these problems when she was weeks old.

When the focus turned to Katie's orthopedic problem, a friend of the family told the Walkers about Shriners Hospitals for Children. Katie was evaluated by an orthopedic surgeon at the Los Angeles Shriners Hospital, who determined that, in order to give Katie the best chance at walking, amputation of her left leg was necessary. She underwent surgery, and within 8 weeks, she was fitted with the first of her many prostheses. Shriners Hospitals for Children has continued to provide the orthopedic care and replacement prosthetics Katie has needed while growing up, all at no charge.

Katie clearly has an affinity for sports. She's taken on snow skiing, ice skating, horseback riding, bowling and competitive golf. "You name it, I've tried it," said Katie. "If I haven't tried it, I will."

In high school, Katie discovered her love of golf and made the varsity team her freshman year. Staff at the Los Angeles Shriners Hospital fitted Katie for a high-tech prosthetic that has a special torque-and-socket unit, allowing more range of motion in the hip and ankle, and consequently, improving Katie's golf swing. During a high school tournament, Katie nailed a hole-in-one. Golf Digest magazine put the odds at any amateur accomplishing such a feat at 12,000-to-1. Katie is now a freshman in college, attending California State University Bakersfield on a golf scholarship.

Not only is Katie an outstanding athlete, she is also a talented singer. Performing since she was 9 years old, she recorded her first country music CD in 2005 and plans a career in the entertainment field.

Most importantly, Katie, like so many other Shriners Hospitals patients, has learned to approach life with a smile and enthusiasm, despite difficulties. Her confidence can be heard in her song, "Challenge Me," which she says comes from her life experiences.