ADAMONIS

Brad Adamonis’ rookie season on the PGA Tour has taken a turn in the wrong direction.

The Cumberland native, who spent more than a decade working his way up through the mini tours, has been forced out of action because of two major health issues. He entered the tournament in New Orleans last week, but had to withdraw because he simply is not well enough to play.

“I hope to play this week [in Houston],” Adamonis reported. “I’d say it’s about 75 percent that I’ll be able to play. It’s been tough, but there are people worse off than me. People don’t think of golf as a rough sport, but it takes a toll on your body.”

Adamonis has spent the last month visiting doctors and undergoing numerous tests. Two problems have been identified.

One is a disease called nystagmus. It is a mysterious and little-known problem that involves inner ear imbalance. Among the problems it causes is for the eyes to begin racing uncontrollably from side to side.

“Sometimes it happens a couple times a week, sometimes it doesn’t happen at all for a couple months,” Adamonis said. “It only lasts a couple minutes, but when it does, I have to sit down. I can’t do anything.”

He is working with doctors to try to determine what brings on the episodes, but with little progress so far.

“Even if they do know what causes it, there is no cure for it,” Adamonis said. It simply is something he is going to have to live with.

In addition to the nystagmus, he also has problems with his neck and shoulder, related to a chronic condition he has been coping with for some time.

“It will just lock up on me sometimes,” he said. “I’ve been told there is a bulge in one of my disks.” He has been doing regular exercises to try to strengthen the area.

“The good thing is that it’s been feeling better lately,” he said.

All things considered, Adamonis said he feels fortunate since he underwent a battery of tests. Other, more serious problems have been ruled out.

Adamonis had been off to a solid start before being sidelined. He has made six of eight tournament cuts, although he has been unhappy with his play on the weekends. He has earned $108,320 and is 153rd on the money list.

He also has had the opportunity to reap some of the benefits of reaching the big tour. Like just about everyone who plays on the PGA Tour, he has signed equipment deals. He has them with Titleist and Nickent golf, among others. He also has hired an agent. He now spends most of his time living in Florida. One of his frequent playing partners is former tour player Patrick Horgan III.

Newport’s Horgan, who has been through numerous injury problems himself, told Adamonis he was forming a company to represent players. Horgan joined with Mary Heath, who formerly did the public relations and promotional work for the CVS Charity Classic, to form an agency. Adamonis was the first to sign with them.

“They’ve been really helpful,” Admaonis said. “I know them and I trust them. It’s worked out well.”

Horgan and Heath have helped Adamonis sign a deal to represent Portsmouth’s Carnegie Abbey Club on tour. They also have helped arrange a contract with the Rhode Island-based TACO company to represent it.

This week is a big one because players’ standings will re-shuffle after the event in Houston. Adamonis is in decent shape, but would like to play this week and better his standing.

That, however, will depend on whether he feels well enough to go.

pkenyon@projo.com