Far Hills, N.J., and Reston, Va. – Through a grant from the United States Golf Association, the National Alliance for Accessible Golf is expanding its efforts to provide financial assistance and resources to help make the game of golf more accessible to people with disabilities.
Since 1991, the USGA has provided more than $5 million in grants to more than 150 nonprofit organizations that introduce or reacquaint individuals with disabilities to golf. To date, 75,000 people have benefited from such programs. With funding from a USGA grant, the Alliance will for the first time administer a grant-application process for organizations that provide golf programs for individuals with disabilities.
“The USGA believes that golf should be open to everyone and is proud to support organizations that serve individuals with disabilities through the game,” said USGA President Jim Hyler. “The USGA is pleased to work with the National Alliance for Accessible Golf and looks forward to the expansion of opportunities made possible by USGA grant funds.”
These grants will defray core program costs and support programs to help golfers with disabilities both learn and transition into playing the game. Eligibility guidelines and application materials are available at www.accessgolf.org in the Grants section.
The USGA will also support the Alliance’s efforts, particularly its GAIN™ (Golf: Accessible and Inclusive Networks) initiative, which offers community, clinic and camp programs for people with disabilities that help them become involved in golf through lessons, playing and social aspects of the game.
“We are excited about partnering with the USGA in its efforts to support golf education and inclusion opportunities for people with disabilities through grants administered by the National Alliance for Accessible Golf,” said Alliance President Dr. Betsy Clark.
“Perhaps more so than any other sport, golf provides individuals with disabilities with exceptional recreational, competitive and rehabilitative opportunities,” said USGA Grants Committee Chairman Gene McClure. “The unique nature of the game, along with the USGA Handicap System® and ‘A Modification of the Rules of Golf for Golfers with Disabilities,’ helps make this possible.”
About the USGA
The USGA is the national governing body of golf in the USA and Mexico. The USGA annually conducts the U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open, U.S. Senior Open and 10 national amateur championships. It also conducts two state team championships and helps conduct the Walker Cup Match, Curtis Cup Match and World Amateur Team Championships.
The USGA also writes the Rules of Golf, conducts equipment testing, provides expert course maintenance consultations, maintains a Handicap System® and celebrates the history of the game. Since 1983, the USGA Turfgrass and Environmental Research Program has awarded more than $31 million to more than 400 research projects for better turf and a better environment at universities across the country. The USGA also funds an ongoing “For the Good of the Game” grants program, which has allocated more than $65 million over 13 years to programs that bring the game’s values to youths from disadvantaged backgrounds and people with disabilities.
For more information about the USGA, visit www.usga.org.
About the National Alliance for Accessible Golf
The National Alliance for Accessible Golf (Alliance) 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. Through GAIN™ (Golf: Accessible and Inclusive Networks) and other programs, the Alliance promotes inclusion and awareness to the golf industry, golf instructors, and the public. For more information about Alliance programs, please visit www.accessgolf.org.
Contact:
Steve Czarnecki
sczarnecki@usga.org
Web Address: www.usga.org
USGA Phone: (719) 471-4810, ext. 16