United States Adaptive Golf Alliance (USAGA) to host a clinic for Disabled Children, (Ambassadors) from 23 Shriners Hospitals around the Country

(BURR RIDGE, Ill. – Sept. 30, 2019) – The United States Adaptive Golf Alliance (USAGA), a 501©(3) nonprofit organization comprised of 37 adaptive golf organizations across the United States, will conduct its third straight adaptive golf clinic for disabled youth ‘Ambassadors’ from twenty-three Shriners Hospitals for Children throughout the country. The clinic will take place on Friday, October 4 at the Shriners Hospital for Children Open PGA TOUR event at TPC Summerlin, Las Vegas, on their practice range from 2:00-3:30pm.

The instructors are: Jonathan Snyder, a left-handed amputee, Dir. of Adaptive Golf Operations, Freedom Golf Association (FGA), ranked No. 74 in the world; Tracy Ramin, a below-the-knee amputee, ranked No. 25 in the world; John Bell, a below-the-knee amputee, ranked No. 110 in the world; Alan Gentry, an arm- above- elbow amputee with a world ranking of 151; Isaac Leos, an arm-below-elbow amputee, ranked No 145 and Brandon Canesi, born without hands, ranked No. 225 and is an Assistant Golf Professional at Trump National Doral.

“The exchange of golf instruction and the joy of the game shines brightly as members of the USAGA Para-Golf team lend their golfing skills and love of the game to these young disabled individuals,” says Edmund “EQ” Sylvester, Chairman, USAGA. “The instructors not only talk about golf, but they also share experiences about their disabilities. It is heartwarming to watch.”

“The clinic is held on the same practice range where the PGA TOUR players practice,” adds Sylvester. “The tournament pros frequently come over and say ‘hello’ which is icing on the cake for all those who take part in the clinic. It makes everyone smile.”

Sylvester has multitudes of stories to share about how learning golf has changed the lives of people with disabilities. He relayed a story of speaking to a young lady who is an above-the-knee amputee and is a good golfer. “I asked her if she enjoyed the sport, and what goals might she have? She said, ‘I want to be the first woman to win a gold medal in the Paralympic games.’ The USAGA hopes to make this a reality for her. One of the USAGA’s primary objectives is to assist the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) in recognizing golf as a Paralympic sport.

Sylvester shares another story of how the USAGA, through its SHC teaching clinic, helps to bring joy to the disabled via the game of golf. “A young lady from Mexico, who couldn’t speak English, came out to play on crutches, as she had only one leg. Fortunately, I could speak Spanish, so I asked her if she wanted to play golf. Although she never played before, she was eager to try. I put a golf club in her hands, she dropped one crutch, missed the ball a few times, and then hit one about 30 yards. I left her to help another youngster, but when I turned around again, she had dropped the other crutch, and was swinging the golf club with both hands standing on her one leg! What amazing ability and great courage! No wonder she was SHC’s Ambassador from Mexico!”

About United States Adaptive Golf Alliance:

Founded in 2014, the USAGA is a national alliance of 37-member adaptive golf organizations with common goals and objectives, promoting and providing resources for athletes with disabilities nationwide. In 2018, its member organizations provided adaptive golf to 30,000+ individuals across the country, of which 24% are wounded veterans. USAGA is the only organization in the country that provides competitive pathways in disabled golf – from basic instruction, get out and play, through and including national and international competitions for golfers with disabilities.

For more information on the U.S. Adaptive Golf Alliance (USAGA), please visit:  www.usaga.org

Follow the USAGA on Twitter: ​@USAGA3

Follow on Instagram:  usadaptivegolfalliance​

Like the USAGA on Facebook:  www.facebook.com/USAGAGolf

For more information on the USAGA Shriners Hospital for Children Golf Clinic on Friday, October 4 on the driving range at TPC Summerlin in Las Vegas at 2:00pm, during the Shriners Hospital for Children Open PGA TOUR event, contact:

Edmund Q. Sylvester
Chairman, USAGA
eqsylvester@USAGA.org
(630) 697-4345

Scott G. Schroeder
Executive Director, USAGA
sschroeder@usaga.org
630-570-0115

“Including the disabled in the fabric of society through golf”