Ohio Golf Journal August 2019

USAGA Holds National Adaptive Golf Championship M ost golfers grab their sticks from the trunk, lace up their golf shoes and head to the first tee, but for another group of special golfers, the game is a bit more challenging. Every year the United States Adaptive Golf Alliance (USAGA) hosts the National Adaptive Golf Championship. Last year it was held at the Fortress Golf Club in Frankenmuth, Michigan. Over 90 golfers traveled from as far away as New Zealand and Korea to compete in this unique event and prove to the world that a prosthetic, or even partial paralysis, is not a valid reason to stop playing golf. This year, August 5-9, the USAGA will hold the 71st National Adaptive Golf Tournament, along with the 30th Senior Adaptive Championship at Peak N Peak Resort in Clymer, New York. These golfers may require para-mobile carts, specially built equipment or other devices to assist them on the course, but their desire to compete overrides any difficulties they face. Adaptive golf advocate and survivor of a severe head trauma injury, coma and partial paralysis, Rich O’Brien told us, “According to US Census Bureau, approximately 57 million Americans (19%) suffer from some form of disability. Of that total, an estimated 18 million of them played golf before suffering their disability. In addition, a study conducted by the National Center on Accessibility, in conjunction with Clemson University, revealed a strong desire to play golf among the disabled.” By Fred Altvater Ohio Golf Journal Adaptive Golf