Golf Clinic at American Lake Veteran Golf Course
Posted on May 20, 2010Recreation therapists and golf professionals will teach adaptive techniques, introduce and demonstrate various adaptive equipment, and offer coaching and training on golf basics at the “Swing into Summer” Recreation Therapy Swing Clinic to be held at American Lake Veterans Golf Course on Monday, May 24 from 9 am-3 pm.
This clinic is presented in cooperation with the National Amputee Golf Association (NAGA) and its First Swing program. NAGA, in conjunction with the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Charitable Trust and the Professional Golf Association (PGA), sponsors nationwide "First Swing" seminars and "Learn to Golf" clinics annually. The clinics bring golf professionals, physical and recreational therapists, and the physically challenged together to teach, learn, and enjoy golf.
The First Swing began in 1988 and was developed and perfected by a double below knee amputee, Bob Wilson, National Amputee Golf Association Executive Director. The program was designed to instruct therapists to teach and encourage the disabled to learn, or re-learn, the game of golf, not only because just about every physically challenged individual, regardless of age, is able to play, but also because it contributes dramatically to the individual’s emotional and physical well-being, instilling self-confidence and pride in personal achievement.
For more information:
- American Lake Veterans Golf Course 253-589-1998
- National Amputee Golf Association (NAGA)
Last minute registrations contact Sue Gustafson, CTRS, 253-582-8440, ext. 76571.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
National Amputee Golf Association
Incorporated in 1954, the National Amputee Golf Association (NAGA) consisted of a small group of amputee golfers who played friendly games that quickly developed into regional tournament play in various cities across the United States. Today, NAGA has more than 2,500 members worldwide.
NAGA is supported by the Professional Golf Association (PGA), and the United States Golf Association (USGA). In addition to its national tournaments and National Senior Championship, the NAGA sponsors local and regional tournaments throughout the country.
Perhaps NAGA’s highest visibility occurred as a result of the highly popular First Swing Program which teaches adaptive golf to people with physical disabilities. Currently, more than 30 clinics are held across the U.S. every year. The Golf for the Physically Challenged program has enabled many to realize first hand that they can play the game and have fun in an outdoor sport. In 1989, to assist a growing number of physical, occupational, and recreational therapists who realized the adaptability of golf as a rehabilitation medium, NAGA brought its First Swing program to hospitals and rehabilitation centers throughout the U.S. Hundreds of amputees and physically challenged individuals have rediscovered their sense of personal pride through their participation in these NAGA golf programs.
Handicaps and sickness imply a number of limitations: restricted performance, a sense of impossibility and, often as a consequence of these limitations, social exclusion. As a result, many chances, possibilities, and perspectives appear to be inaccessible.
When applied therapeutically, the sport of golf has been proven to encourage a person’s will, build self confidence, and provide a channel to break through this vicious circle. Although golf is still viewed by most as an elite sport, when properly applied, it can serve as a very successfully method of rehabilitation.
Golf as a therapy addresses the development of necessary coordination and the repetition of precise sequences of movements. Further, the mental challenges posed by the game stimulate one’s ability to focus and concentrate. Playing golf successfully raises a person’s self esteem and vitality. Finally, golf is social and fun.
Especially for the wheelchair bound and those suffering from amputation, golf provides a physiologically useful therapeutic method to train and strengthen weakened limbs. Even those with severely impaired vision or the blind can benefit from the therapeutical advantages of golf due to the fact that the ball rests on the ground, and the player must act but does not need to react.
Mobility Aids: SoloRider and Paragolfer
What are single-rider or adaptive golf cars? Single-rider or adaptive golf cars are designed to help those with limited mobility, including seniors and the physically disabled, travel on any part of the golf course, including tees and greens, giving them full access to the course and helping them enjoy the game. Hand controls, seat harnesses and specially designed stand-up seats, which raise and turn to allow golfers to swing from a seated or standing position, add to golfers' comfort and safety.
Using the SoloRider golf car, golfers can:
- drive onto greens and tees with no impact to turf,
- drive over rough terrain and climb hills with ease and confidence,
- easily enter and exit using the 350 degree swivel seat,
- play from using the elevating seat, and
- easily handle with the ergonomic controls.
The ParaGolfer is a specially constructed multi-terrain powered standup wheelchair that allows a disabled or physically challenged person to stand up and play golf. It was originally designed for disabled golfers, but can also be customized for use in other sports and leisure activities such as fishing or archery. With its strong chassis frame, the ParaGolfer can cope with gradients of up to 30 degrees and sideways inclinations of about 17 degrees. The ParaGolfer will turn automatically into a safe position should these limits be exceeded. The design allows for an absolutely secure footing in any position.
The therapeutic benefits of the golf game for physically limited players are immense. It stimulates the metabolism, stretches the muscles, reduces spasticities and enhances the mobility of their joints. The all-terrain ParaGolfer® with its patented stand-up device combines practical know-how with innovative ideas for maximum playing fun. Its unequalled stability when the golfer is hitting the ball enables performance that is comparable to those of non-handicapped players. Technical data.
American Lake Veterans Golf Course: For information on who may play, costs, hours of operation, dress code, rules and tournament/activities schedule, please visit: http://alvetsgolfcourse.com.
Friends of American Lake Veterans Golf. Mission: “To assist with the improvement, care and maintenance of the American Lake Veterans Golf Course to enable disabled veterans to rehabilitate themselves both physically and emotionally, so all military personnel and veterans can enjoy the benefits of golf in a positive, therapeutic and accepting social environment.”
For more information about Friends of American Lake Veterans Golf Course, the 501(c)3 nonprofit fundraising arm of ALVGC, including plans for “The New Nine” (being designed as a gift from Jack Nicklaus Design), and how to support its capital campaign, please visit: http://www.veterangolf.org
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