GolfAbilityis
an instructional program to teach the basics of golf, and
promote golf as a rewarding leisure activity, to individuals
with disabilities and mobility impairments.
GolfAbility goals include:
To encourage individuals with
disabilities who have never considered golf to take up the
game as an integral part of a rewarding leisure lifestyle.
To prevent golfers from giving
up the game due to injuries, orthopedic impairments, cardiopulmonary
disease, stroke and other conditions.
To prevent aging golfers from
quitting the game due to arthritis, osteoporosis and other
age related conditions.
To integrate adaptive golf
into the continuum of care services provided to patients
at Helen Hayes Hospital.
To promote the democratization
of golf for individuals with disabilities, consistent with
the goals of the United States Golf Association and the
Americans with Disabilities Act.
To promote and facilitate
the acquisition of single rider cars and adaptive equipment
by tri-state area golf courses and encourage participants
to use their new skills on courses throughout the region.
Eight GolfAbility workshops and two GolfAbility outings have been scheduled to run from May through September. The workshops will take place at the GolfAbility center, which is located on the campus of the physical rehabilitation hospital. The center consists of a 1300 square foot synthetic putting green with six cups and three accessible netted tee areas. Participants will learn how to use appropriate adaptive golf equipment, including single-rider carts. A single-rider cart is a specially equipped golf cart that allows a disabled golfer to play seated or standing, directly from the cart, and can be driven right on to the green. The two outings will take place at a local golf course.
All workshops will be conducted by Joyce Fried, LPGA, who will be assisted by recreational therapists. Sessions will start with a group lesson and then participants will break into small groups to practice concepts learned during the lesson as well as building on skills learned in previous sessions. The cost of each workshop is $15 per golfer. The GolfAbility programs will take place from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. and each workshop will be limited to 14 participants.
Information on cancellations due to weather conditions can be obtained by calling 845-786-4484 after 1:00 p.m. on the day of a scheduled program.
GolfAbility is open to individuals who may have played prior to acquiring a disability and individuals who are new to the sport.
GolfAbility has been made possible through support of the Helen Hayes Hospital Foundation and the North Rockland Lions Club.
Pre-registration for workshops is required and participants must complete a GolfAbility application form in advance. The $15 registration fee should be made payable to the Helen Hayes Hospital Foundation. Participants may register for as many workshops as they wish, but priority will be given to new participants. Checks received after a class has been filled will be returned. Registered participants will be called one week prior to each workshop to confirm acceptance status.
For additional information or an application form, call or email David Wickes at 845-786-4200 or Matt Castelluccio at 845-786-4950.
