ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. (May 16, 2023) – 82 grassroots golf organizations, charitable organizations or programs dedicated to increasing golf participation among those who are underrepresented in the sport, will receive a total of $750,000 in funding to further their efforts. These groups (*full list below) are being awarded grants through Make Golf Your Thing, the industry’s commitment to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion to help make the sport more welcoming for all.

“Freedom Golf and the USAGA have been a much-needed blessing in my life. They have given me a change of focus from the chronic pain and PTSD I deal with daily. They gave me a compelling reason to venture out of the house and interact with other people when PTSD made me want to “bunker-in.” This allowed me to connect with other vets (I served in the Army 7 years) and the special needs kids with whom I volunteer.

“My name is Gina Meyer and I am an Adapted Physical Education Teacher with a cooperative in the Southwest Suburbs of Chicago. This was my first time using USAGA’s SNAG Clinic as it was recommended to me by a Coworker. Everyone at USAGA was so patient and easy to work with. We have very little kiddos, with a wide range of abilities, making each class a challenge and something new. During the golf clinics, I noticed students have extreme concentration and excitement to do something that they've never done before. The highlight of the 6 week clinic for me as a teacher, was watching a student with Cerebral Palsy and severe cognitive limitations, hold a golf club with one hand and swing it on her own. We were in absolute shock and filled with excitement to see her being able to do this. And the joy and excitement that was visible on her face was priceless!”

At this year’s PGA Show, USAGA trained adaptive golf coach Deborah Smith became the first person with a disability to ever model in the PGA Fashion Show!! View the video below to see fashion show.

"Growing the game for diverse audiences is in our company's DNA. The United States Adaptive Golf Alliance is an ideal partner that helps bring more people to golf, as well as bring the game of golf to them." 🗣️ Blake Walker, Arcis Golf Founder & CEO.

“My first experience with (USAGA) was a coach’s luncheon at Cog Hill. As the meeting was closing we were asked if there were any questions. I inquired ‘how do we refer to these students? Do we call them kids, participants, golfers?’ The answer was ‘as athletes’. I soon realized that word fit exactly.

My reward has been two fold. First, is seeing the huge smile on the athlete’s face when they hit a golf ball 70-80-90 yards straight as an arrow. Second, is looking back and seeing the smile on the face of a proud parent.

Being an Army veteran myself, I really enjoy working with the vets. I’ve done clinics at Odyssey and Oakbrook. The visually impaired from Hines Veterans Hospital gave me much pleasure.

Finally, I will always remember this moment with one of the vets. He told me that coming out once a week was so good for him. I replied that yes, hitting a golf ball once a week really helps. He answered, ‘I wasn’t talking about hitting a golf ball’. The look on his face said it all. I understood how healing it was for him to be with this organization and with the other vets each week. That look will stay in my memory forever!”

- Tom Woods, Veteran and USAGA Coach

Because Of Your Ongoing Support, USAGA Provided 6,237 Adaptive Golf Lessons in 2022!⁠

Thank you for all of your assistance in 2022 to support USAGA's mission serving the special needs community through their inclusion in the game of golf, including access, instruction, and competition within a competitive pathway. We look forward to providing even more adaptive golf lessons in 2023 to veterans, first responders, and children with special needs!

We had a wonderful time at the 9th annual USAGA golf outing and we hope you did too. Please check out some great photos from the event.

We are just two weeks away from the 9th Annual USAGA Golf Outing at Cog Hill on June 10th, 2022! Teams will consist of 4 players paired with one Adaptive Golfer to create a team of 5. The cost is $200 per person or $750 for a foursome.

Last week the premier Disability Matchplay Golf Event, the Cairn’s Cup, was played at the Shire London. Just as the Ryder Cup, this event puts Team USA versus Team Europe in a match play event every two years. After being postponed due to COVID-19, both teams were excited to return to the camaraderie of this fantastic event. Our very own National Director of Golf Operations, Jonathan, Snyder, is one of the captains of Team USA. Jonathan and the rest of team USA won the event and are brought the Cairn’s Cup aka “The Billy” home to the United States!! They look forward to defending the cup in two years on U.S. soil at The Fortress in Michigan.

The U.S. Adaptive Golf Alliance (USAGA), serving the Adaptive golf community through their inclusion in the game of golf, provides adaptive golfers with access, instruction, and competition at all levels.

We have put together some fantastic trips for the silent auction at our 9th annual golf outing!! Join us at Cog Hill on June 10th for your chance to win:

• Saturday and Sunday at the 2023 Masters⁠

• Golf Trip to Ireland ⁠

• Golf/Spa Trip to Scottsdale

S.N.A.G. (Starting New At Golf) Clinics - During the spring semester of school, USAGA sent adaptive coaches to high schools throughout the Chicagoland area to teach special needs students. Over the course of 6 weeks, the students learn the fundamentals of golf, including a proper swing and grip.

A few weeks ago Rehab Without Walls reached out to the USAGA for help putting an Adaptive Golf Clinic in Murfeesboro, TN. With more than ten interested individuals wanted to learn adaptive golf. The issue was there was no adaptive equipment or teachers near their location. In order to help include those individuals in golf, the USAGA and our Director of Golf Operations, Jonathan Snyder, sprung into action and headed to Tennessee to help. With gracious volunteers and Rehab Without Walls staff members, Jonathan was able to put together the incredible clinic! Check out the wonderful pictures below.

In order to provide the best possible experience for all potential adaptive golfers, the USAGA decided to build a brand new website. This goal of the website is to provide an accessible website for all disabilities to use. We partnered with the artificial intelligence accessibility company accessiBe.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - As we wait to see who will be the next Masters champion, you could say the game of golf is already a winner this year. Augusta National Golf Club is on a mission to grow the sport, and already, more people than ever before can dream of competing there.

She doesn’t have her license yet, but 16-year-old Anna Davis can already drive. The high school sophomore won the 2022 Augusta National Women’s Amateur by one stroke. The next day at the Drive, Chip and Putt finals, eight children were crowned champions.

Augusta National might be known as the most exclusive golf club in the world, but you can’t help but notice how inclusive it’s working to make the sport.

You also couldn’t help but notice the shirt Shawn Reimold wore to the Masters. It read “GOLF TIL MY ARM FALLS OFF.” He lost an arm in an accident when he was 17 years old.