Press Releases

Augusta, GA—For most of us, attempting to play golf, much less play it well, is enough of a challenge on its own. But can you imagine playing the game when you also have an acquired disability, such as a spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, brain injury or even impaired vision or blindness?

 

             Over the past several years, Walton Foundation for Independence has made this dream a reality for hundreds of local golf enthusiasts who also happen to have acquired disabilities. The Walton Foundation kicks off a new season of monthly Adaptive Golf Clinics on Tuesday, March 9, from 10 a.m. to noon at the First Tee of Augusta, 3165 Damascus Rd.

 

            Thanks to support by the United States Golf Association, the clinics are free to registered participants who meet clinic criteria: They must be 15 or older, and have an acquired disability, such as a spinal cord injury or a brain injury. The clinic provides adaptive golf carts for those who need them, as well as volunteer golf instructors.

 

            The monthly clinic attracts a wide variety of golfers from Augusta, Aiken and beyond. Golfers have even traveled from as far away as Charleston or Savannah to attend. Diagnoses range from spinal cord injury to brain injury to multiple sclerosis to, yes, even blindness, but there is one constant: Every player brings an enthusiasm to learn or return to the game.

 

            “Here at Walton, we believe that rehabilitation includes not only therapies that help you build back strength and ability, but also programs that help increase a person’s independence and ability to live and interact in the community,” said Leslie Glass, Vice President for Development, Walton Foundation for Independence. “That’s why programs like adaptive golf are so near and dear to our hearts, because we see every month the impact it has on those who may never have believed they would be able to play sports like this again.”

 

The clinic takes place the second Tuesday of every month from March to November (except for April) at the First Tee of Augusta. For more information on how to be a part of Walton Foundation’s monthly Adaptive Golf Clinic, please contact Vicki Greene at (706) 823-8584 or email vgreene@wrh.org.