Press Releases

Augusta, GA—Dennis Walters is a trick golfer who can hit precision shots blindfolded, through fire, and with unusual golf clubs made from a fishing rod or radiator hose, while Brad Clayton is a PGA Master Professional who has been named The Carolinas Section Teacher of the Year.

 

            But their golf expertise isn’t their only similarity. Both Walters and Clayton have had to overcome disabilities to achieve their successes. Walters is paralyzed from the waist down, and Clayton is a right-arm amputee. Their love of the game of golf has fueled their dedication to demonstrate that golf is a sport that can be enjoyed by people in all walks of life, even those who may never have believed it would be possible to play.

 

            Which makes them the perfect ambassadors to kick off the State Farm Adaptive Golf Challenge on Monday, April 5 (the Monday of Masters Week), presented by the Walton Foundation for Independence. The 6^th annual event teams golfers with acquired disabilities from across the region with community golf enthusiasts for a day of friendly, competitive play. It also helps raise awareness of the benefit of sports and leisure programs for those with acquired disabilities like spinal cord injury, brain injury and more. “The ultimate goal of the Walton Foundation is to bring people with physical challenges closer to independence and to a meaningful life with family, friends and communities,” said Leslie Glass, Vice President of Development for the Walton Foundation for Independence.

 

In addition, the event is a fund-raiser for two Walton Foundation programs: Camp To Be Independent, a weeklong summer camp for children and young adults ages 8 to 21 who have sustained traumatic brain injuries, and monthly Adaptive Golf Clinics, which provide specially designed equipment and volunteer golf instructors to help those ages 15 and older with acquired disabilities learn or return to the game of golf. Last year’s event raised about $9,000 for both programs.

 

            On Monday, April 5, Walters and Clayton will kick off the Adaptive Golf Challenge at The First Tee of Augusta with a demonstration and mini golf clinic that is open to the public and is from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The event will also feature remarks by honorary chair, Augusta native and Champions Tour golfer Jim Dent and other distinguished guests. Registration for the Challenge will begin at 10:30 a.m. at the Augusta Municipal Golf Course. Sponsors include News12.

 

For golfers with acquired disabilities, adaptive carts are available for those who need them and participation in the Challenge is free (golfers must meet certain criteria). The Foundation is also accepting registrations for teams of community golfers. For information on how to participate in or support the Adaptive Golf Challenge, please call Vicki Greene at (706) 823-8584 or email vgreene@wrh.org.