IINCLUS NCLUS
MONTHLY
INCLUSION INFLUENCERS
AN INTERVIEW WITH TYLER BEALKE, FOUNDATION PROGRAMS COORDINATOR FOR THE GATEWAY PGA SECTION
LEARN ABOUT PGA ABLE
ABILITIES BEYOND LIFE'S EXPECTATIONS
WOODMONT SHINES AT U.S. ADAPTIVE OPEN
INTHISISSUE AUGUST2025
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 the Gateway Section’s PGA ABLE (Abilities Beyond Life's Expectations) Tyler Bealke
WOODMONT SHINES
AT U.S. ADAPTIVE OPEN
A Refresher on the Americans with Disabilities Act
GAIN SPOTLIGHT
A networking platform and resource center for golfers, adaptive golf leaders, and anyone who believes golf is a game for everyone.
EDUCATION HUB SPOTLIGHT
Ready to send a different message about ACCESS at your facility?
COACH IN FOCUS
Kevin Corn, PGA Bringing Healing Swings to Hospitalized Kids
GOLFER IN FOCUS
Retired GCSAA superintendent Justin VanLanduit returned to the course this week 12 years after a muscular dystrophy diagnosis.
BUILDING COMMUNITY, ONE SWING AT A TIME
Arc Herkimer took a bold step forward in its vision of building community with the acquisition of the MV Golf & Event Center
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
If you know you know, or “IYKYK” I guess is what the kids say these days! While in the Navy, I had more acronyms logged to memory than grains of sand in an hourglass, but as every day approaches towards Medicare, there seems to be fewer grains left up there!
I’ll tell you what I do know. It’s time to block your schedule so you can experience the 2026 U.S. Adaptive Open to be conducted for a second time at Woodmont CC in Rockville, MD You will leave with a new baseline of what the game of golf can truly accomplish
In this edition of Golf Inclusion Monthly® , we recap the 4th U S Adaptive Open and highlight the efforts of the USGA, their partners, and Woodmont Country Club to deliver a championship that checked all of the boxes.
Additionally, our Inclusion Influencer series brings Tyler Bealke from the Gateway Section of the PGA of America to speak with us about PGA ABLE (Abilities Beyond Life's Expectations), a program gaining real traction in the St Louis
Do you have a story to share about a golfer, program or coach? Just drop us a note at info@accessgolf.org as we welcome any opportunities to share stories that help others see what is possible
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
ANINTERVIEWWITHTYLERBEALKE,PGA
Excerpts from Alliance Executive Director Dave Barton's interview with Gateway PGA Section Foundation Programs Coordinator Tyler Bealke
Why a career in golf... “The thing that really draws me to this industry is the wide variety of people you get to meet, both working in the business and the people who are benefiting from playing the game of golf It's really exciting to be a part of that … and I knew from an early age that I wanted to work for something that was bigger than myself, something where I could help others and impact others. ”
Program beginnings... “They were talking about this program that would bring golf to folks with disabilities and medical challenges. I'm a childhood cancer survivor myself, so hearing this conversation and just being a fly on the wall two weeks into my job, stopped me in my tracks I thought, wow, this is what I've been searching for my whole life to impact others while also being involved with the game I love ”
Working with PGA Professionals... “ …the PGA Reach Gateway Foundation Board had been talking about doing something to serve the broader community for a long time there'd been PGA members in the community that had been doing these things for years like Kevin Corn Jon DePriest, all sorts of PGA members in the Gateway Section … it made sense to put something under the PGA Reach umbrella. ”
Early visionaries... “We had a board member named Zach Goers, and he and his wife have close family members who have Down Syndrome, and they thought we should start a golf camp for them so they came up with this name right around COVID. We
reached out to local organizations and they were amazed that we wanted to do something like that and the buy-in was instant ”
“Sue Rector was the chair of the board at the time and she's well connected in the St. Louis community and really helped make some great relationships with other local nonprofits who are serving the same community It's been an incredible experience so far ”
Who can participate... “We really don't have any restrictions We are open to working with anybody regardless of their ability. Mainly we work with folks with physical and intellectual disabilities and we are now in four pediatric hospitals in St. Louis. So, meeting kids and adults, and whoever it may be, wherever they are in life ”
Supporting other programs... “The Albert Pujols Wellness Center for Adults with Down Syndrome was our first partner. Their participant age ranges vary. Some of them have played golf in the Special Olympics, and some of them have never touched a club before We've done two more years of programming with them and look forward to future programs. ”
Golf is for everyone... “We tell these folks this game is for everybody It doesn't matter if you're missing an arm or a leg, or you've never played golf before We can teach you the game of golf, and you can love it There's nobody who can't try this game or at least try it and see if they love it. ”
State golf association involvement... “It's picking up steam at a rapid pace We’ve got the Missouri Golf Association and the Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association and both are running adaptive opens this year. These opens have been going on in Missouri for a while this has been phenomenal”
Kevin Corn, PGA... “Kevin's fantastic He's just such an advocate for adaptive golf and bringing the game to everybody … he leads most of our PGA ABLE programs in the area. He's at Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital the 1st Wednesday of every month and at Rankin Jordan every Wednesday He's taught me so much about both how to teach adaptive golf, but also the best way to communicate with these individuals and their families, the nurses and doctors. ”
Program growth... “The PGA show is a great opportunity for me to meet with a lot of folks in similar roles at other PGA sections across the country and I take that as an opportunity every year to share what the PGA ABLE program is … all it takes is some some time out of your day to reach out to PGA members or golf pros in your area, who have a passion for this, a heart for it, and it doesn't take much Our goal three years from now will be to be in every pediatric hospital in St Louis and hopefully in the Gateway Section ”
Outreach... “Just seeing their kid happy for once in a hospital can make a world of difference take some time out of your week and just create some of these connections because local organizations are already working with this population of individuals. You just have to reach out. Tell them you want to get involved and they would welcome the help. ”
Health and wellness... “ this joy that somebody's experiencing when they're doing something that detaches them from the struggles they're going through … that's powerful and somehow having a role in facilitating that is inspiring and what really gets me going every day to to wake up and continue my work ”
Drawing people in... “Golf is fun and it's truly a game that can be whatever you want it to be. It can be a social activity, it can be an individual activity, a way to meet new people, and a way to build relationships with your family and friends Very few people start playing golf and don't end up wanting to play more afterwards, so I'd say, give it a try, and you'd be amazed with how far it'll take you. ”
All photos from Gateway PGA
WOODMONTSHINESATU.S.ADAPTIVEOPEN AREFRESHERONTHEAMERICANSWITHDISABILITIESACT
By Alliance Executive Director, Dave Barton, PGA
For the first time in my experience, I was at a golf tournament when a competitor had a real shot at shooting 59 and no, it was not at a PGA or LPGA event or in a simulator with nothing but tail winds and auto gimmies from 20 feet. It was during the U.S. Adaptive Open in Rockville, Maryland.
The eventual men’s champion made the turn in 29 stokes (-7) on the Woodmont Country Club (South Course) in what can easily be classified as a great start …and it only got better. Finishing with a 61 at the end of Round One, Kipp Popert went on to shoot 66-65 in the final two rounds to card a 24-under 192 in the defense of his 3rd title in a row The inaugural U S Adaptive Open winner Simon Lee from South Korea finished second In total, eight male golfers finished under par for the 54 hole event including Seated Player (SP) Max Togisala who finished at -2.
Kim Moore took home the overall title for the women with a 3-day score of +16, her second U S Adaptive Open Championship having won the inaugural event in
2022. Bailey Bish and Amanda Cunha worked hard to close the gap but finished 3 strokes back with Cassie Sengul, a local golfer from Virginia, knocking on the door as well Note: The results are below from usga org Images of a trophy next to a name indicate overall champions and runner-ups while images of medals represent impairment category winners.
Men’s Overall Results
Women’s Overall Results
The leadership, staff, and membership of Woodmont Country Club provided a championship venue delivering immaculate conditions, deep (but accessible) bunkers, and undulating greens that continuously reminded the field of where to pitch, chip, or putt from, or where not to Combined with the significant heat, areas of rough best suited for local wildlife, not golf balls, and teeing grounds with varied distances for different impairment categories of men, and women, it was a true test of golf.
Credit
The USGA, with partners including Deloitte who helped facilitate LIVE coverage of the final round and provided a travel stipend to those that qualified, have created a USGA Championship like no other when it comes to presenting a showcase of golf talent. Previous events at Pinehurst in North Carolina and Sand Creek Station in Kansas were no less impressive, but as each year passes and more information is gathered from the preceding competition, they just keep getting better and better
Stephanie Parel and Colton Dean from the USGA, along with many others involved, simply get it done and we could not be more appreciative of the opportunity to be able to be there Additionally on the event management side, the Par 5 Group has been working with the USGA on several events, including the 2024 Adaptive Open event at Sand Creek Station It was great to meet John Palacioz from the Par 5 Group in action at Woodmont and see the significant contributions they made to help create a playing and viewing experience that would be hard to beat!
A Refresher on the Americans with Disabilities Act
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) does not typically apply to private businesses. Notably, Woodmont is a private golf club and the first private club to host an Adaptive Open
From the parking lot to the clubhouse, pro-shop, supporting buildings, golf course and on-course infrastructure, Woodmont oozed access and inclusion There is something to be said of that level of commitment.
For those that may not fully understand “accessible” versus “adaptive golf” , or what “inclusion” really means, here is a “starter” cheat sheet:
Accessible means that the facility, including the buildings and the golf course are barrier free and an individual with a disability can freely navigate the spaces that are designed to be available to the public and can also access/play the course without coming across barriers. There is no need to complicate it more than this.
Adaptive Golf is a term related to golf that involves some level of adaptation to play, such as a player who has to adapt the way they play or how they can use their caddies or aids during a round as guided by USGA Rule 25. It includes players with a range of different impairments that may, or may not require adaptive golf equipment such as adaptive golf cars, grips that permit prosthetics to be used to hold the club, or devices that help a player attach their hand, or part of their
hand to the club Custom designed clubs with "paddles" versus grips that brace clubs under the arms may be used as well as custom fitted clubs that cross a wide range of length, lie, shaft and grip requirements. These examples only scratch the surface of what is possible to help get someone on the golf course
Inclusion is a byproduct of a culture at a golf facility that not only welcomes all golfers to the course, but delivers an environment that sees everyone for their abilities and embraces the opportunity to invite participation They see golfers, not disabilities
We’ve discussed this before, but the ADA does not necessarily apply to private facilities from a Department of Justice standpoint unless the course operates regularly in a way that permits a lot of public access beyond just the usual “guest of member stuff” That’s an entirely different conversation
If you have any questions about it, we encourage you to visit the Alliance Education Hub and take advantage of the free training for golf course leadership and staff and earn some education credits as well if you are in the PGA, LPGA, CMAA or GCSAA
Regardless of the above, there was no stone left unturned by the USGA and Woodmont to deliver a world class accessible and inclusive environment and for that we have nothing but a major league thank you and congratulations for showing golf operators around the country how to do it right.
Grace Anne Braxton
Sure, this was the Adaptive Open, but if a private club understands the importance of access and inclusion, Title III facilities, aka “public accommodations” that are required to comply with the ADA around the country should take notice and get on board There is a rising tide of participation in the adaptive golf space and now is the time to get prepared
In the end, it is all just golf. What we all need to see when a person walks in the pro-shop to play is a “golfer” , not an “adaptive golfer” These golfers have a bag, clubs and golf balls and, no different than you or I who may not have a disability, they are there to play golf.
Does that need to be made more complex because your facility is not looking to acquire an adaptive golf car, or perhaps share that asset with another facility? Do you have misconceptions about who actually does play slow on a golf course? Are you aware of the ADA guidance out there to help you?
If your facility is not preparing and welcoming golfers of all abilities from a physical (access) and cultural (inclusion) standpoint, perhaps it is time to take a step back and ask yourself, “Why am I in the golf business?”
The ADA was enacted in 1990 54 of the 96 players in the field were born at or AFTER the ADA became law and yet the Alliance phone still rings and emails still come in from golfers who are being denied access at golf courses To be fair, we are also getting some calls from golf courses asking for advice, but in more instances than not, they come in after there has been a preventable situation regarding access to play, cart path only scenarios, barriers in the buildings and/or golf course, and more
Our organization exists to advocate for these golfers and access as well as to provide education and free resources to help owners and operators understand that, beyond the law, preparing for golfers of all abilities is not that complicated There is no lack of information out there to move in a positive direction towards creating an accessible and inclusive environment for your community.
This is why every leading golf association in the country got together after the ADA became law and decided to establish the National Alliance for Accessible Golf. We remain committed to our mission of increasing the participation of people with disabilities in the game of golf.
The reality is we are working to ensure anyone has the opportunity to get to the golf course for the first time or to help someone return to the game who may have been injured, or acquired a disability. To do this, our focus is on ensuring there are more “spaces and places” for people of all ages to learn…the access and inclusion piece
Events such as the Adaptive Open, the USDGA Championship and numerous adaptive golf competitions conducted around the country by other organizations provide a path for those that want to compete and as importantly, show others what is possible
Individuals with disabilities need accessible and inclusive places to learn and that takes us back to every publicly available golf course in the country recognizing the responsibility they have to provide these places
Who knows, maybe the next Adaptive Open Champion will be developed out of a program at your facility?
Make your plans now for Rockville in 2026. Guaranteed amazing experience.
USGA Opening Ceremonies
Issa Nlareb
ADAPTIVEOPENSNAPSHOTS
More images from the 4th U.S. Adaptive Open Championship in Rockville, MD
Frank Rihtar, Jeff Nicholson (VertaCat), and Alliance Board Members
Melissa Low (CMAA) and Chava McKeel (GCSAA)
Max Togisala, Andreas Brandenberger, and Larry Celano Catching the Action
Cindy and Mark Lawrence
Tracy and Tonia Ramin
Dave, Eric Hatch and Alliance Board Members Chava McKeel (GCSAA) and Dana Dempsey (Scottish Rite for Children)
JOINTHECOMMUNITY. JOINTHECONVERSATION.
“GAIN is not simply a community networking platform, it is the top national resource and education center for the golf industry related to ADA compliance, education, and the game. Existing programs are growing and new ones are developing. But, can we say that golf facilities around the country are universally prepared? No … we can’t say that. ”
Dave Barton, PGA Alliance Executive Director
GAINSPOTLIGHT: ONEGOLFERATATIME
A networking platform and resource center for golfers, adaptive golf leaders, and anyone who believes golf is a game for everyone.
The GAIN community continues to grow as more and more golfers seek advice on things such as finding adaptive golf cars, locating a coach, and more When it comes to bringing folks into the game, the adaptive golf community has no shortage of golfers and professionals ready to step up and help, just as many of them were guided when they first started.
Most recently, a golfer from West Virginia was looking to get back into the game and asked about custom fitted golf clubs related to his impairments, what would help him play golf, and questions about costs
There was no shortage of great advice from several experts about the fitting process including a range of considerations as well as where he might find assistance near his home.
The Alliance is an education, advocacy and resource organization with tools that include the Education Hub, Golf Inclusion Monthly® , a growing database of adaptive golf cars, programs and facilities, and of course, GAIN
GAIN is a “people resource” and as it grows, so does the adaptive golf community
EDUCATIONHUBSPOTLIGHT: SENDINGADIFFERENTMESSAGE…
“ACCESS Flags” vs. “Handicap Flags”
The Alliance speaks and writes a lot about establishing welcoming and inclusive environments at golf facilities and that involves plenty of moving parts.
Training facility leadership and staff to form the foundation of an inclusive culture, marketing your accessibility here and there, or simply demonstrating your belief that golf is a game for all through interactions with golfers with disabilities are all part of the equation.
How about considering green “ACCESS Flags” versus “Handicap Flags” as but one simple way to send a different message to the golfers in your community?
ACCESS flags say “Let’s Go!” and tell anyone on the golf course you are committed to delivering access for individuals with disabilities so they may enjoy the game as we all do.
The reality is the word “handicapped” is less welcomed as a descriptor as it once was and suggests “limitations” , which is not reflective of the abilities a person has
Learn more about the value of using green “ACCESS Flags” or cart banners through the Alliance Education Hub and send the message your facility seeks to provide access to those who require it
EDUCATIONHUBSTATS
324
Enrolled Learners
406
Course Completions
234
Training Hours Completed
The Alliance Education Hub is a FREE service available to anyone in the golf industry.
THEPGAPROBRINGINGHEALINGSWINGS TOHOSPITALIZEDKIDS
By Mike Dojc
| Jul 10, 2025 | Article and photos via forbes.com
Every Wednesday for the past 14 years, PGA professional Kevin Corn has brought weekly golf lessons not to a driving range, country club or simulator bay but to the hospital rooms, indoor play zones and even a repurposed baseball field just outside Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital.
The St. Louis-area healthcare facility has honored his weekly devotion by renaming its junior golf program the Kevin Corn Golf Academy, breaking the news to him at their annual Tee it Up For The Kids golf tournament last week where they raised $210,000
Corn, the longtime director of golf at Innsbrook Resort, located an hour west of St. Louis, launched the initiative in 2011 His goal was to introduce hospitalized children many recovering from car accidents, brain or spinal injuries, or managing cerebral palsy and other complex developmental or physiological conditions to the game of golf.
A brief yet impactful article in PGA Magazine, about a junior golf program in Dallas hospital spawned a
robust re-imagining of that endeavor that has now reached over 2,000 children.
These patients learning to tee it up have often transitioned from an acute-care hospital but aren’t yet ready to return home. As a pediatric bridge facility, Ranken Jordan focuses on helping kids and their families recuperate while preparing for what is next. Unlike traditional hospital settings, patients dress in regular clothes, eat meals with their peers, and participate in activities that promote a return to a normal routine and playing golf has become a valuable part of that endeavor. Like aquatic, art, and music therapy, golf is simply another modality to encourage play, engagement, and healing through joy and movement
“The key to so many of our patients is unlocking that one special thing that they love to do, ” Ranken Jordan chief nursing officer Kristin LaRose explained. “Then all of a sudden they want to do therapy and they start healing so much quicker. Some of our kids have never seen or experienced golf and it becomes that magical
thing that lights them up They begin to want to move more, get outdoors more and use their arms and use their legs because they’ve discovered golf. Kevin has been instrumental in creating that excitement. ”
For ambulatory patients clinics are held on a baseball diamond outside the facility donated by former Cardinals manager Mike Matheny’s Catch-22 foundation There’s also a recreational zone indoors called Warner’s Corner, after the football great who led the Rams to victory at Super Bowl XXXIV. Corn has dubbed the outdoor area, which also features two adjacent putting areas, Ranken Jordan National Golf links
They use almost golf balls, distance limited practice balls that fly a third of the normal distance, allowing participants to take full swings or whatever type of allout swing they are capable of making
“Some kids can really rip them and we don’t tell the kids to hold back We just get out of their way if they can hit it hard enough that we don’t want to get hit by them, ” Corn explained.
While past participants who first picked up a golf club while tethered to medical equipment have gone on to make their high school golf team, seeing competitive milestones reached aren’t what keeps Corn coming back. The most gratifying moments, he explained, have nothing to do with play proficiency and everything to do with witnessing miracles that once seemed impossible
“We had three boys that came to Ranken Jordan as quadriplegics, and they all left walking, ” Corn Recalled. “I happened to be there the first time each stood up. When you see those types of things, the golf is completely irrelevant ”
Other moments that stuck with him: seeing a young double amputee fitted for her first prosthetics And more recently, a boy preparing to be discharged told Corn he wanted to keep playing after he went home. “I went in the day before he was leaving and surprised him with a set of clubs, ” he said “He got so happy he looked at his mom and said, ‘Am I dreaming?’”
Making dreams come true and adapting the game to meet the individual needs of each kid has been Kevin’s forte since he walked into Ranken Jordan for the first time 14 years ago
“Kevin is a yes man We have literally pushed a patient in a hospital bed out to the putting green because they had wounds, and Kevin’s out there
adapting things so they can still hit a ball. He has a very gentle, intuitive humility about him he meets kids where they are I call him the golf whisperer, ” LaRose said
“So many of the kids there have been told throughout their life that they can’t do something or because of a traumatic injury or accident, they’ve been told they no longer can, ” Corn said “This is one of the ways to show them: yes, you can and here’s how we’re going to do it. I don’t know if I’ve ever heard the word ‘can’t’ at Ranken Jordan. ”
“Kids come to golf lying in their hospital bed or in wheelchairs with three machines attached to them with tubes and ventilators and you name it and we figure out a way that they can hit golf balls, ” he added
Groundswell Of Support
Word of Corn’s longtime volunteer work has spread among the Innisbrook resort community, where he leads the golf program. The 7,500-acre property west of St. Louis is home to a mix of residents, weekenders, and regulars many of whom now support the Kevin Corn Golf Academy Talk of donating to the program often pops up organically in group texts among club regulars looking to help out.
“Next thing you know I’m getting emails and texts from the people in development and they’re saying, ‘we just got another one and another one ’” Corn said “It’s been cool to see the community buy in They believe in it and see the good that is coming out of the program and how much it’s helping the kids. ”
Thanks to that kind of generosity, kids are often sent home with a new set of clubs and a few golf shirts to keep playing after they are discharged
The program primarily uses U.S. Kids clubs specifically the red and blue sets, which they’ve found are best suited for children in wheelchairs and also their yard clubs which have a molded training grip that aids in hand positioning
“Kids who may be stroke survivors or have some type of limitations, with hand strength, dexterity, or flexibility, that larger grip helps with their ability to hold onto the club a little better than a standard grip. "
Full Circle
Corn’s program has begun to be emulated across the country He now regularly receives inbound queries from golf pros looking to start similar initiatives in their own communities.
“I’ve gotten emails from Philadelphia, Arizona, and Florida, ” Corn said “There is a program in Toledo, Ohio that was started from a conversation in the U S Kids booth at the PGA Show, ” he added.
While few of the inspired programs have reached the weekly consistency of Corn’s effort, the ripple effect is unmistakable “Whether it’s at the PGA Show in January or through emails and phone calls, I’ve had a lot of people ask how to start something like this in their area, ” he said.
Corn sees national potential. Through his PGA of America section’s PGA Able initiative, he’s helped launch monthly programs at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital and at the Albert Pujols Wellness Center for adults with Down syndrome at St. Luke’s. “We’re trying to do more here within the St. Louis community, ” he said, “but there’s no reason why pediatric hospitals all over the country shouldn’t have something like this. It works If it works at a facility like Ranken Jordan, it’ll work anywhere ”
At its core, the goal remains simple: put smiles on faces. “We’re getting the smiles at Cardinal Glennon once a month the same way we get them once a week at Ranken Jordan, ” Corn said “That’s a pretty powerful tool to have just getting the kids smiling and happy That mental side is a major hurdle, and sometimes a goofy game chasing a ball can help you get there ”
And for Corn, that’s the bigger picture. It’s not about finding fairways or sticking greens. It’s about helping kids who’ve been through trauma feel like themselves again
AREALGAMERATTHEU.S.ADAPTIVEOPEN
by Howard Richman
| July 10, 2025 | Golf Course Magazine
Retired GCSAA superintendent Justin VanLanduit returned to the course this week 12 years after a muscular dystrophy diagnosis.
Justin VanLanduit did not win the USGA’s U.S. Adaptive Open this week. In many other ways, though, he has triumphed.
A former golf course superintendent, VanLanduit participated in his first U S Adaptive Open, which took place at Woodmont Country Club’s South Course in Rockville, Md.
Although he missed making the cut Tuesday, VanLanduit was thrilled to give it a go The Muscular Dystrophy diagnosis that 12 years ago curtailed his golf passion and eventually thwarted his career certainly hasn’t knocked him out.
“Overall, the experience exceeded my expectations. You go in with thoughts on how the tourney will be run, and it was great, ” says VanLanduit, a 22-year GCSAA retired member, who was in the championship’s Coordination Impairment category. “Woodmont was such a generous host and went all out to be sure we felt comfortable and had what we needed. The USGA goes to all lengths to give us the experience of an Open ” VanLanduit was touched that during his practice round, Woodmont’s Ryan Severidt, CGCS, greeted him on the third tee
VanLanduit’s life in the golf industry includes superintendent at Briarwood Country Club in Deerfield, Ill , starting in 2008 He replaced longtime superintendent and Illinois Golf Hall of Famer Paul Voykin, who oversaw Briarwood CC for 47 years. VanLanduit still relishes the opportunity he had to manage Briarwood. “To become a superintendent at age 28 at a private club on the north side of Chicago ” VanLanduit doesn’t need to elaborate on the job’s magnitude any further
VanLanduit was a stellar youth golfer who at age 14 shot a 3-under-par 69 for 18 holes and later played
Retired GCSAA superintendent Justin VanLanduit participated this week in the USGA’s U.S. Adaptive Open. Here he is at the course at Woodmont Country Club in Rockville, Md., along with his wife Eriin and daughter Rourke at his side and from bottom left, daughters Raynor and Ryker Photo courtesy of Justin VanLanduit
junior college golf before choosing to attend the University of Illinois to study horticulture and turfgrass management. In 2013, Muscular Dystrophy affected his health, eventually including lower back surgery in 2018 Unfortunately, the surgery failed and back pain, along with leg pain and muscle loss, derailed his efforts at work. “Things I enjoyed, like cutting cups, became hard to do, ” he says
VanLanduit retired in 2019 at age 40, choosing to focus on health and family He now resides in Minnesota with his wife Erin and daughters Rourke, Raynor and Ryker. He enjoys visiting with superintendents, sharing his experiences and knowledge He calls his rehabilitation therapist “a magician ”
VanLanduit is also is excelling in golf again; his .4 handicap is evidence No matter the results at the U S Adaptive Open, VanLanduit remains strongminded in his life. “I can still compete, ” he says
Read more about VanLanduit’s journey in a future issue of GCM.
BUILDINGCOMMUNITY,ONESWINGATATIME
By Courtney Brown, Public Relations Director for Arc Herkimer
In the spring of 2020, just as the world was facing a pandemic, Arc Herkimer took a bold step forward in its vision of building community with the acquisition of the MV Golf & Event Center.
While the timing seemed uncertain, it turned out to be an impactful opportunity As people sought outdoor activities with social distancing, golf quickly became a popular recreation. The course offered just what the community needed: open space, fresh air, and a way to stay connected.
Since that time, the acquisition has become about more than a good game of golf. For Arc Herkimer, it has become a booming social enterprise and a chance to expand inclusivity for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The course, 18-holes across 175 acres, overlooks the scenic Mohawk Valley Those who graze the greens for
What truly sets the MV Golf & Event Center apart is its commitment to adaptability While the space is designed with accessibility in mind for people supported, that same level of support extends to the entire community The course offers two SoloRider golf carts: single-rider adaptive carts engineered for people with limited mobility to enjoy golf independently. These carts are available to anyone in the area who may benefit from their use, staying true to Arc Herkimer’s mission of empowerment and enrichment.
Currently, the course offers an event tent for hosting public activities, tournaments, and private functions In the coming year, the tent will transform into the Kucerak Event Center: a premier indoor venue perfect for weddings, reunions, corporate retreats, and other special events. It will host up to 185 guests, in addition to offering golf simulators, bocce, and other indoor fun all year long
What started as a unique venture during a global crisis has evolved into an incredible example of what’s possible when opportunity meets purpose Arc Herkimer has worked to develop the MV Golf & Event Center into a vibrant, inclusive, expanding space where individuals of all ages & abilities are both welcomed and celebrated
“Beyond the luscious landscape, the course offers a deeper community connection. For people supported by Arc Herkimer, it is an interactive training ground to gain hands-on vocational experience.
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.
ADA & Accessibility
Competition & Rules
Facilities, Programs, Adaptive Golf Cars
Calendar of Events
Open Forums
