IINCLUS NCLUS
JASON FAIRCLOTH AND DIRECTOR JOHN BELL
PROGRAMS IN FOCUS
WARRIOR GOLF ACADEMY FROM SHADOWS TO FAIRWAYS
INTHISISSUE APRIL2025
A Message from the Alliance
Executive Director, Dave Barton, PGA
Access + Inclusion
The Alliance is a leader in access and inclusion - increasing the participation of people with disabilities in the game of golf
Inclusion Influencers
An interview with USDGA Founder Jason Faircloth and Director John Bell
Sharing is Caring
Golf can do better bringing more golfers into the game, especially demographics that have been historically underrepresented
GAIN Spotlight
New Adaptive Golfer Looking for Adaptive Golf Car
Education Hub Spotlight
Microlearning: Guidance for Interacting with a Person with a Disability
Chaska Golf Course is First-of-Its-Kind for Adaptive Players
The Loop Golf Course is a joint venture between the City of Chaska and Barrier Free Golf
A Ball of Light: Resilient Cyrus Keeps Fighting
Battling Chronic Granulomatous Disease has defined four-year-old Cyrus’ young life
Programs in Focus: Warrior Golf Academy
From Shadows to Fairways
What is the Best Prosthetic Leg for Golf?
The best types of prosthetic legs for golfers should have certain features and characteristics
GOLF PATHWAY MIX.
“Kafka’s support of our mission makes it possible for us to deliver education to the golf industry We are proud to be associated with them and the commitment they have to delivering products that improve accessibility to golf facilities around the country!”
Dave Barton, PGA, Executive Director, National Alliance
AMESSAGEFROM THEALLIANCE
Dave Barton, PGA Executive Director
First, I hope your NCAA Brackets did better than mine. Moving on …
As May approaches, the United States Disabled Golf Association (USDGA) Championship is around the corner, being played May 5-7 at the PGA Golf Club in Port St Lucie, FL and many of the best players from around the world will be competing
In this edition, we take a moment to catch up with our friends at the USDGA, Founder Jason Faircloth and Director John Bell, in addition to spotlighting the Warrior Golf Academy and its Founder, Jonathan Sessa. Rarely will you hear me say it’s a “must read” but there … I just said it.
You can also get to know Cyrus and how the Children's Inn at the National Institute of Health was able to find some time to get one of their young patients out to the golf course with a trip to TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm in Potomac, MD and the Hummingbird Golf Clinic
Do you have something to share about a golf program you are involved with? Let us know!
ACCESS+INCLUSION
Our mission is to increase the participation of people with disabilities in the game of golf.
The National Alliance for Accessible Golf (National Alliance) is the leader in inclusion working to ensure the opportunity for all individuals with disabilities to play and participate in the game of golf Formed in the summer of 2001, the National Alliance is represented by professional associations within the industries of golf, recreation and leisure, and health care providers as well as organizations that advocate for inclusion and provide services to individuals with disabilities
WHATWEDO
Advocacy and Awareness
In addition to advocating for individuals with disabilities in print and online publications as well as social media marketing and interviews, the National Alliance engages in speaking opportunities at conferences and other public events. The Alliance also hosts GAIN, an adaptive golf community networking and engagement forum
Education
The Alliance Education Hub provides guidance to golf course owners and operators seeking ways to make their golf courses and facilities more welcoming, accessible, and inclusive to golfers with disabilities, including programs to bring new golfers into the game.
Resources
The Alliance delivers resources including ADA guidance, policy templates and more to create accessible, inclusive, and welcoming environments.
INCLUSIONINFLUENCERS:
ANINTERVIEWWITHJASONFAIRCLOTH+JOHNBELL
Excerpts from Alliance Executive Director Dave Barton’s interview with United States Disabled Golf Association (USDGA) Founder Jason Faircloth and Director John Bell
Starting the USDGA...[Jason] “That 2011 event changed my life. It was a tournament that looked like a major in adaptive golf and I had never played in anything like this I don’t really consider myself as disabled, so that was a new experience for me ”
Jason and John’s Connection...[John] “2018 was my first actual adaptive event. I zoomed over towards Orlando and I ended up placing and found a whole new adaptive family ”
Coming Full Circle...[Jason] “So a guy is gonna come over from London, England to play in our event. We met in 2011 at the Disabled British Open. This was a boy that was 12 years old at the time.”
Challenges...[John] “In my experience, the biggest <challenge> is cost It’s a small percentage of adaptive players that have the resources to just zoom around the country, if not the world ”
Conducting the Championship...[Jason] “As I’ve said, I’ve been in the golf business since I was 12 years old and that helps but people think this is easy and the work stops when the tournament starts But yeah, people think that it’s easy, but it’s not ”
Impairment Categories...[John] “Across the world, nothing is perfect, you could take three amputees and all of us have, you know, extra impairments, so there’s not going to be the exact same disability person across the board The USAGA has a pretty good standard of classifications that we use to some extent to base our player classifications.”
Adaptive Golf...[Jason] “Even if you are in a wheelchair, every sport that you play is going to have issues, so if you really want to play golf you can, you might have some challenges, but everybody has challenges ”
John Bell and Jason Faircloth
About the USDGA
Jason Faircloth’s golfing journey began with learning to adapt his playing style to accommodate his physical limitations. Through perseverance, he developed techniques that allowed him to excel at the game despite suffering from Cerebral Palsy.
In 2011, Jason was the first and only American to play in the Disabled British Open He was one of only three persons with Cerebral Palsy to play in the event.
The Disabled British Open was televised on SKY Sports throughout Europe Jason finished 34th overall sixth in his flight in 2011 and 28th overall and runnerup in his flight in 2012
It was while participating in this event that he found the inspiration to form the United States Disabled Golf Association (USDGA) Jason was joined in 2021 by John Bell, who had been driven by his own disability –leg amputee – when he met Jason 2018
The organization is dedicated to promoting the sport for individuals with disabilities and providing competitive opportunities on both national and international levels! Source:usdgagolf org
The USDGA Open Championship is one of the leading adaptive golf events in the United States Hosted annually, this tournament showcases athletes competing across various categories of physical, sensory, and cognitive impairments.
The 2025 Championship will be hosted at PGA Golf Club in Port St Lucie, Florida May 4-7
SHARINGISCARING GOLFCANDOBETTER
By Dave Barton, PGA
There has been a lot of talk and certainly some action in the golf industry across a wide range of efforts to bring more golfers into the game, especially demographics that have been historically underrepresented not only on the golf course, but also in leadership and staff positions at these facilities.
The National Alliance for Accessible Golf has spoken recently about the relaunch of a public database, the Adaptive Golf Cars, Programs and Facilities Database, designed to help make information easier to find to bring golfers with disabilities into the game, support those who already play and guide others who may just be looking for information across the country. We are not going to stop talking about it and we need your help
It’s easy to get caught up in the belief the marketing effort for your golf facility or program is just great! Sure, some are, but many are not effective beyond who is next door or in your back yard. We can assure you, related to accessibility and adaptive golf, there are individuals in your community seeking more information than you are currently providing and plenty searching the internet near and far for learning and playing opportunities.
For the marketing experts out there Are you interested in reaching a broader audience for FREE? It’s easy to do with a listing on a national database the Alliance provides to the golf industry and a population of golfers who definitely do their research before they show up to a golf course.
On a recent survey conducted by the Alliance prior to relaunching this database, we asked, "What do
you recommend your customers do if they will need to utilize an adaptive golf car?"
Aretheseresponses helpful?
- Nothing.
- Not sure
- I’m not aware of any adaptive golf cars in our area
- Sadly, tell them they are not available.
- We have been unable to find a way to fund
Whataboutthese?
- Call in advance to reserve.
- Help them find a facility that can help.
- Call the pro shop to request the cart
- Let us know in advance.
- Provide their own or give us time to secure the use of one.
“Hmmm”, “Seriously?”, or “Wow”, are but a few of the thoughts that come to my mind when I read these and I am a golf professional. These answers, all of which were far from unique, tell our organization and the industry we have work to do
Please take a step over to the customer side of the counter with me and put yourself in a wheelchair on the phone, or in person talking with the staff at the pro-shop counter, or researching the accessible and adaptive golf offerings at your facility.
Do the answers in the left column of the above table tell a story about the great things golf is doing for golfers with disabilities at the grassroots level? Aren’t we better than this as an industry?
What would your takeaway be if you walked into a gym, a restaurant, a grocery store or any other publicly accessible business out there and were told, “we can’t support people like you ” That may not be the words that came out, but that is exactly what the message is by doing nothing, or not actively seeking solutions. Excuses don’t help, efforts do.
Demand may not be high everywhere, but is that really the point? Isn't working to be better prepared to assist all customers a good idea?
The last study of any kind related to participation in golf by individuals with disabilities was conducted in 2018 by the National Golf Foundation (NGF) We are way overdue for new data that better quantifies the impact these golfers have in the game
Golfers talk about courses that are making the effort and they definitely talk about the ones that are not. Which list do you want to be on? Denying access, or not seeking a solution to provide it is a road to a destination you do not want to visit
One thing is certain and it has already happened a few times in the golf industry. As demand is increasing for adaptive golf cars, the DOJ will at some point begin paying more and more attention to “why” you are not seeking a solution to support individuals with disabilities It usually starts with a failure to seek a solution even when someone has called, or is right in front of you and desires to play. What can you do?
Try starting with one of these sharing options:
1) Share the cost of purchasing a vehicle, or a couple vehicles (different types) with a nearby facility in your community. Maybe it is a partner facility, maybe a
competitor, maybe it is three to four facilities sharing the purchase, storage and logistics cost to “share the asset” These are reasonable solutions
2) Are there golf programs at your facility, or in your area that have access to adaptive golf cars? Perhaps you can broker a small deal with them to share their assets where both the program benefits and your facility wins by providing a solution that helps?
3) How creative can you be?
Please note, I did not say every golf course has to have an adaptive golf car. The ADA does not say that. However, a public, and/or government golf facility is obliged to provide access to the golf course for individuals of ALL abilities, so the Alliance would advise reading between the lines and working towards as cost-effective of a solution as possible. Do something, anything that makes it possible for you to answer the phone and help someone who wants to play golf, not push them away
Recently, the PGA of America sent out a note about the National Alliance Database of Adaptive Golf Cars, Programs and Facilities encouraging their readership to share what may be offered at facilities or programs they are associated with related to adaptive golf cars and instruction This went out to 31,000 PGA professionals, associates, students and staff, a large percentage of which lead or work at golf properties as operators or instructors.
We are beyond appreciative of the PGA’s assistance in pushing out the message that making this information more available is a true game changer in bringing people into the game and we are looking for that needle to move.
Please work towards access solutions at your facility and start by sharing what you have related to adaptive golf cars and/or programs in the national database Our organization takes routine inquiries from all over the country, as do many others in the adaptive golf space, asking if we know of a property in “pick a town” that has adaptive golf cars or instructional programs.
Help us help golf do better Help us steer people towards your program or facility
JOINTHECOMMUNITY. JOINTHECONVERSATION.
GAIN is your community...a free networking forum to foster better access to adaptive golf experts across the country and resources to serve the community of golfers with disabilities and those that lead and support these efforts.
All are welcomed on GAIN...those seeking information about adaptive golf, the ADA and more with those that can provide the answers.
GAINSPOTLIGHT
New Adaptive Golfer Looking for Adaptive Golf Car
GAIN is a platform for adaptive golfers, family members, industry experts and supporters to connect
In a recent conversation, a new adaptive golfer to the seated golfer community is seeking advice on how to acquire an adaptive golf car.
It's great to see the assistance this 19 year old is getting from other seated golfers and manufacturers to help him on his new journey in the game. That's but one way in which GAIN can help strengthen the adaptive golf community across the country.
Join GAIN today and tell us what you think, or ask a question for which you need assistance or guidance GAIN is a free platform provided by the National Alliance to help everyone reach beyond what they thought was possible
EDUCATIONHUBSPOTLIGHT: MICROLEARNING
Guidance for Interacting with a Person with a Disability
Practicing disability etiquette is the first step to making a person feel welcomed The more knowledgeable you are with some of the most common interactions, the more confident you will be.
This microlearning lesson covers:
Person First Language...Say "person with a disability" not "disabled person."
Think Before You Speak...Always speak directly to the person, not to his family, friend, or aid and respect an individual's privacy with regards to their disability
Physical Contact Both the person with a disability and any equipment they require (e.g. wheelchair, cane, etc.).
Ask Before Assisting...Do not assume what a person with a disability can and cannot do.
EDUCATIONHUBSTATS
256
Enrolled Learners
364
Course Completions
204
Hours Spent Learning
The Alliance Education Hub is a FREE service available to anyone interested in learning about the ADA and adaptive golf.
CHASKAGOLFCOURSEISFIRST-OF-ITS-KIND FORADAPTIVEPLAYERS
By Courtney Godfrey
| Published June 10, 2024 | Chaska, MN | FOX 9
CHASKA, Minn (FOX 9) - It’s a first of its kind in the golf world, and it’s right here in the Twin Cities.
The Loop Golf Course in Chaska opened in May, and it's designed with wheelchair users in mind. The course is a joint venture between the City of Chaska and Barrier Free Golf It’s a 9-hole, par-28 course with no sand or rough to keep it accessible to everyone.
"You look at the scorecard, and you would think that this is the easiest course I’ve played, but it's not that way," said head golf professional at the Loop John Young.
Young says the course designers used land contours and large greens to increase the difficulty without reducing accessibility
"Getting back out here and enjoying sports like I once did is remarkable," said wheelchair user Tracy Hindt.
Hindt was involved in a car crash in 2017 that left him paralyzed from the waist down He said after the accident, he sold his golf clubs, thinking he would never be able to enjoy the hobby again
"Being able to come out here and golf like normal or come out here with friends or family, it makes it seem like you’re not even in a disabled world," said Hindt.
Hindt also takes advantage of two specialty golf carts that are available to rent at the course The carts are designed to allow wheelchair users to stand up when they swing
"The first question is if I can bring it to other golf courses," said Hindt about the specialty carts. "If more golf courses have this, more people would have the opportunity."
The Loop is open to everyone, not just adaptive golfers Young says it’s great for families as well
Bottom: The 30,000 square foot Minnalayas Putting Course is
public The contours are sure to put a smile on the face of new and experienced golfers alike
Top: The Loop at Chaska will become a national demonstration project that showcases how golf course design can enable access to golf by appealing to new populations - especially golfers with physical and sensory impairments
open to the
ABALLOFLIGHT:RESILIENT CYRUSKEEPSFIGHTING
Excerpts from childrensinn.org posted February 25, 2025
Battling Chronic Granulomatous Disease has defined four-year-old Cyrus’ young life
The long flight from Los Angeles to Dulles had just touched down. The plane was still taxiing to the gate Four-year-old Cyrus, sitting with his mother Crystal and father Chahriar, was still buckled in his seat but his attention had already turned to what was coming next With a wide grin on his face, Cyrus turned to his mother and asked: “Playroom?”
Cyrus first discovered the playroom at The Children’s Inn in August 2023 when he was just three years old. Born in Los Angeles just a few months before the COVID-19 pandemic, he has been coming to NIH to fight Chronic Granulomatous Disease (CGD), a genetic disorder in which white blood cells are unable to kill certain types of bacteria and fungi. People with CGD are highly susceptible to frequent and sometimes lifethreatening bacterial and fungal infections
“Cyrus is a ball of light,” said Crystal “He is really a joy He is very interested in everything Anything that he sees, he has lots of questions and he wants to know how it works. And he wants to physically see it and touch it and do it, and maybe even take it apart He’s very aware From the moment he was born, he was looking around like, ‘what is this place?’”
For that first visit, Cyrus threw himself into as many activities at The Inn as he could, including a field trip to TPC Avanel for a children’s golf clinic
PROGRAMSINFOCUS: WARRIORGOLFACADEMY
FROM SHADOWS TO FAIRWAYS
In Golf Inclusion Monthly®, we endeavor to share stories of the people and programs making a difference in the game of golf. Often, the “people” in these stories that are creating and running programs around the country found golf first for themselves as a path to a different future before leaning in to helping others
Jonathan Sessa is one such individual and the excerpts that follow are from his autobiography as he shares his story leading up to the creation of the Warrior Golf Academy
All of us take our own respective paths in life to go where we want to go, be who we are supposed to be, or where we think we are supposed to go or who we want to become. Many take a straight line but, I dare say, the vast majority of us take a few turns before we get “wherever it is” we are going
The Warrior Golf Academy is “ dedicated to empowering veterans, first responders, and individuals in need through the game of golf” and their “ academy is built to restore, equip, and empower those who have served ”
I encourage you to take a look at these excerpts from Jonathan’s autobiography, and read the full version via the link at the end of this article about his journey and the power of the game of golf
In Warrior Golf Academy Founder Jonathan Sessa’sownwords…
“In 2023, Warrior Golf Academy (WGA) was born out of a vision shaped by personal struggles, resilience, and a deep-seated desire to give back My journey through the military, the battles with mental health, and the healing I found on the golf course all converged into a singular purpose to help veterans and first responders like me find their way through the darkness and into a life of renewed purpose and community WGA wasn’t just a business idea it was a mission, a calling to address the struggles that many veterans and first responders face when transitioning back to civilian life.
At its core, WGA is about more than just golf it’s about creating pathways to purpose and meaningful
opportunities For many veterans and first responders, the transition to civilian life comes with a loss of identity and direction. WGA seeks to fill that void by offering more than just recreational activities. We provide participants with access to career opportunities in the golf industry, from caddie training and groundskeeping to golf operations and teaching
No single program or individual can address the complexities of the mental health crisis facing veterans. That’s why collaboration is at the heart of my advocacy efforts I work closely with mental health professionals, veteran organizations, and community groups to ensure that veterans have access to the comprehensive care they need. Through partnerships, WGA provides both peer-driven support and clinical assistance.
WGA represents the intersection of everything I’ve experienced the highs and lows, the failures and triumphs, and the lessons learned along the way It’s my way of giving back, of ensuring that no veteran or first responder feels as lost or isolated as I once did. Through golf, we are creating a community where healing, growth, and purpose come together, one swing at a time. The bonds formed on the course have the potential to last a lifetime, and with each success story, WGA is proving that recovery is possible and that participants can find new meaning in life beyond service.
Golf saved my life it gave me a purpose when I felt lost and a sense of peace when my mind was consumed by chaos I know firsthand the therapeutic benefits of golf, and I have made it a core part of my advocacy to spread that awareness to others.”
To read the rest of the story about Jonathan and the Warrior Golf Academy, please click HERE
WHATISTHEBESTPROSTHETICLEGFORGOLF?
By Georgia Prosthetics
Golf is a sport that can be enjoyed by many people. Amputees can love the game of golf just as much as anyone else, providing they have the right prosthesis In this article we will talk a little bit about the best prosthetic leg for golf and some of its characteristics.
There are many different types of leg prosthetics out there on the market But which one is best for golfers that will not inhibit their swing?
The best types of prosthetic legs for golfers should have certain features and characteristics.
It should be compatible with certain adaptive devices Many adaptive devices are available to make golfing more accessible to those with disabilities For instance, there is a device out there that allows you to tee up the ball without having to bend over (putting strain on your knees and lower back).
You should use a torsion absorber and rotator These key elements will allow up to pivot in order to finish your swing. The absorber and rotator are very important to your golf game, especially your swing. The adaptor can connect to the prostheses in order to provide excellent mobility and rotation This results in a more natural and comfortable posture and golf swing You’ll also find that the absorber and rotator will relieve pressure and points of abrasion on the stump.
Choose a prosthetic leg that allows you to participate in sports There are many amputees who wish to participate in an active lifestyle That’s why some prosthetic legs are adapted and customized to fit this type of active, sporty lifestyle.
As you can see, there are many types of prosthetic legs that allow golfers with limited mobility or a disability to increase their distance or play lower
georgiaprosthetics com
handicap golf. If you sustained limb loss or a serious limb injury, but you still want to golf or play other sports, call us today
If you have any questions at all, please call Georgia Prosthetics today. We are more than happy to speak with you and help you determine which prosthetics are right for you
GAIN is your community ... a free networking forum to foster better access to adaptive golf experts across the country and resources to serve the community of golfers with disabilities and those that lead and support these efforts.
All are welcomed on GAIN ... those seeking information about adaptive golf, the ADA and more with those that can provide the answers.
Accessibility
