By Clint Wood, Long Beach Golf NewsThe gallery is quiet. A single arm grips the club, the backswing smooth and deliberate. The strike is pure — the ball soars down the fairway. This is NAOAGA golf: skill, resilience, and community in motion.For 25 years, the North American One‑Armed Golfer Association (NAOAGA) has been proving something important. Golf’s greatest asset isn’t strength or perfect…

USGA 2022 Adaptive Open

As many know I started golfing pretty late in life, I was in my mid 50’s when I played my first round of 9 holes. I immediately was hooked even though I got an 84 for those 9 holes. I was convinced with a little practice I would be a scratch golfer in no time, after all, I was good at sports when I was younger, just how hard would it be knocking a ball into a hole? Learned that golf is not as easy as I thought.

What I also learned was that nobody cared if I got an eagle or triple bogey on a hole. Folks still invited me to golf with them regardless of my skill level. Golf is about more than your score at the end of 18. Golf is one of the few sports that your abilities does not prevent you from playing and enjoying the game with your friends.

Everyone I play with is a much better golfer than me, many with single digit handicaps. I might have high double digits . What is different from basketball or baseball for example is that I am wanted on the “team.” Every single one of them have invited me to join their foursome and some even for local tournaments. My ability does not matter we are all out there to have fun.

Sophia Howard

This brings me to a story my sister shared with me about a young Michigan lady without a right hand that had her heart set on playing golf. She was determined to play the game and adapted her play to accommodate her lack of a hand. Sophia Howard a 15-year-old from Hudsonville, Michigan on the western side of the state has been playing for 5 years and loving every minute of it.

Sophia will be playing at the first USGA 2022 U.S. Adaptive Open at Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina this week (July 18-20, 2022). The 96 players will range in age from 15 to 80, with golfers from 20 states and 12 counties. Sophia will be the youngest competitor, 1 of 5 players 20 or under.

The inaugural U.S. Adaptive Open will be 54 hole stoke play format and players must have a WR4GD Pass and a Handicap Index®. Carts will be permitted for all players and caddies. Multiple sets of tees will be utilized.

For more information about the Adaptive Open visit USGA Adaptive Open Fast Facts.

Golf Course Accessibility

As I researched about the U.S. Adaptive Open, I learned that many courses are looking at ways to improve accessibility in key areas of a golf course. Course superintendents are discovering the benefits of addressing accessibility on their courses. Accessible designs provide a simpler and more efficient maintenance, helping courses when faced with staffing shortages and rising costs.

I love that technically golf is accessible to everyone regardless of abilities. BUT golf can be cost prohibitive for many. Club sets start close to a $1000 and rounds range from $35 into the hundreds.

I get that golf courses are expensive to operate and maintain. Many courses and their members will not want to let just anyone on their course and affect pace of play. I do not have a solution, but has given me an answer to one of my fantasies.

I have joked that if I ever win the lottery, I am buying a golf course and only me and whoever I let play will be allowed. This means I get to golf without folks playing up on me, standing and watching me hit, etc. I am always asked what about all the other hours in the day what will you do with them? Never had an answer, until now. Regardless of abilities, both financial and physical anyone can play for free; clubs will be available to borrow, free balls and tees and everyone can have a blast and learn the game I love. You never know, there may just be another Arnie, Jack, or Tiger out there that we will never know about because of lack of access.

IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                           Date:  December 24, 2019

ADAPTIVE GOLFERS Partners with PERFECT LIES at the 2019 PGA SHOW

North Myrtle Beach, SC. – ADAPTIVE GOLFERS Founder, Gianna Rojas, known as the “One Handed Lady Golfer” and recently named as one of the TOP 22 Woman DISRUPTORS in the Golf Industry by the LPGA stated, “I am very honored to be an Exhibitor once again at the 2019 PGA Merchandise Show and present Adaptive resources and best practices to the influential PGA Professionals and Golf Industry. This serves as stage for innovative Adaptive resources and the opportunity to demonstrate the value Adaptive and Accessible Golf has to the entire Golf industry”.  I owe a debt of gratitude to Reed Expositions for agreeing to add the new section to the Show Floor, now to be called the PGA SHOW’S ADAPTIVE RESOURCE CENTER, and for giving Adaptive Golf a platform for a greater voice in the Industry”.  

This year, ADAPTIVE GOLFERS will be joined by PERFECT LIES GOLF, to help provide Adaptive Fitting Education and Instruction in the newly added Adaptive Golf Resource Center Booth 688.  In October 2017 PERFECT LIES GOLF’S Technical Consultant, Fred Schaper, participated in the Adaptive Golf Summit where he was trained in best practices and methods for teaching and fitting individuals with disabilities.  

At Demo Day on, Tuesday January 22 at the 5th Tee, Orange County National Golf Course, ADAPTIVE GOLFERS and PERFECT LIES GOLF will join golf equipment companies showcasing the newest clubs, golf balls, grips, scoring clinics, instructional aids and the latest technology for analytical club fitting and instruction. They will be educating the media and attendees on best practices when working with individuals with unique challenges and provide an adaptive self-adaptation experience for all.  Join them at 10:30 – 11:00am as they discuss Adaptive Equipment and Fitting. This is the perfect start to the PGA Merchandise Show providing you with the unparalleled opportunity to field test the latest products in real life conditions from the largest collection of golf brands.

Attention ALL Media: On Thursday January 24th, ADAPTIVE GOLFERS will be hosting a press conference from 10:30 – 11:00 am Room still to be announced so watch your programs for further information. If you would like to interview with Gianna “One handed lady Golfer” Rojas pre-show, day of, and/or post-show please contact Gianna directly at (973) 632-1321 to schedule time with her.  

About PEREFECT LIES GOLF Perfect Lies Golf specializes in everything performance in golf, from a true Tour Fitting Experience, to performance swing instruction. From our proprietary Dynamic Frequency fitting system, to hand building every club using frequency matching, and our state of the art analytical equipment. Perfect Lies Golf Performance Center also has the latest technology for analyzing swing mechanics, including launch monitors with club tracing, high speed imaging with simultaneous pressure plate analysis feedback, and bio-feedback training useful for any ability.  

About ADAPTIVE GOLFERS 

Adaptive Golfers is a flagship 501(c)3 non-profit organization supporting and serving as a resource and a VOICE to global communities of differently ABLED individuals who may be dealing with a physical, sensory, cognitive, health and/or age-related challenges. Through Golf we can help improve the quality of life, build or re-build self-confidence and dignity as a therapeutic and rehabilitative tool. We provide programs and clinics, equipment and aids, and advocacy. Gianna serves as an ambassador and a keynote speaker/presenter.  We are on a journey to improve awareness for adaptive, accessible, and acceptable Golf and contribute to changing mindsets on a Global level that Golf is for ALL ABILITIES.  

SUPPORT IS NEEDED: If you are looking or want Brand Recognition for your organization and would like to discuss partnering or sponsor opportunities, please contact Gianna Rojas Founder of ADAPTIVE GOLFERSSM (973) 632-1321. *Charitable Tax Deductible Donations are being accepted and are fully recognized by the IRS.