April 15, 2009 – The National Alliance for Accessible Golf has announced that its Golf: Accessible and Inclusive Networks (GAINTM ) have been established in a number of locations throughout the United States. The charitable organization has awarded more than $60,000 to expand the GAIN program nationwide.
Recipients of the GAIN funding include the following organizations:
o Accessible Golf of Wilmington: ACCESS Inc., Wilmington, North Carolina
o The Children’s Course, Home of The First Tee, Gladstone, Oregon
o Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation in Salt Lake County, Utah
o The Ability Center of Greater Toledo in partnership with The First Tee of Lake Erie in Toledo, Ohio
o The University of Southern Mississippi Access Recreation Camp
“The Alliance is pleased to continue funding for inclusive golf programs that will touch hundreds of children and adults with disabilities,” said Alliance President, Trey Holland.
The National Alliance for Accessible Golf was formed in the summer of 2001 by leaders from the golf industry and representatives of organizations serving people with disabilities and golfers with disabilities. Participants involved in the forming of the Alliance represented the Club Managers Association of America, the United States Golf Association, the Professional Golfers Association of America, the Ladies Professional Golf Association, the National Golf Course Owners Association, the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America and the First Tee. University representatives and organizations and individuals representing golfers with disabilities were also involved.
Through GAIN and other programs, the Alliance promotes inclusion and awareness to the golf industry, golf instructors, and the public. GAIN couples community programs and other resources to provide opportunities for people with disabilities to become involved in the game of golf — not just through lessons on how to hit the ball, but by involving them in the social aspects of the game as well.
About GAIN – The National Alliance for Accessible Golf is a charitable organization working to ensure the opportunity for all individuals to play the game of golf. The Alliance is represented by major golf organizations in the United States, organizations that provide services for people with disabilities, and other advocates.
About CMAA – The Club Managers Association of America is the professional Association for managers of membership clubs. CMAA has close to 7,000 members across all classifications. Manager members run more than 3,000 country, golf, city, athletic, faculty, yacht, town and military clubs. The objectives of the Association are to promote and advance friendly relations among persons connected with the management of clubs and other associations of similar character; to encourage the education and advancement of members; and to assist club officers and members, through their managers, to secure the utmost in efficient and successful operations.
Contact:
Ashleigh Hill
(703) 739-9500
ashleigh.hill@cmaa.org
www.cmaa.org