IINCLUS NCLUS
INCLUSION INFLUENCERS: ALBEE SHANEFELTER
GOLFER AND AUTHOR OF BE STRONG, BE WELL, BE KIND
INTHISISSUE NOVEMBER/ DECEMBER2025
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 Albee Shanefelter, a golfer and author of Be Strong, Be Well, Be Kind - The Battle-Proven Path to Reclaim Your Life from Chronic Pain, Illness, and Other Conditions.
ADAPTIVE GOLF HALL OF FAME
Recognizing service and commitment to the game.
GAIN SPOTLIGHT
A networking platform and resource center.
EDUCATION HUB SPOTLIGHT
Uh, Oh It's Cart Path Only Today!
ADAPTIVE CLUB FITTING AT THE PGA TOUR SUPERSTORE
PGA TOUR Superstore with 84 stores in early 2026 is on a mission to improve access to custom club fitting
KOALAA AND EDGA COMBINE TO DESIGN PROSTHETIC DEVICE TO AID GOLF PARTICIPATION
HOW TO PLAY ADAPTEE GOLF! BLIND GOLF ASSOCIATION HELPS ATHLETES TAKE BIG SWINGS ACROSS DELAWARE VALLEY
Images courtesy of Josh Basile - AdapTee Golf
Images courtesy of Josh Basile - AdapTee Golf
NATURAL STONE. GROUNDBREAKING SOLUTIONS.
“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
GOLF PATHWAY MIX.
AMESSAGEFROM THEALLIANCE
Dave Barton, PGA Executive Director
Can you say “frost delay”? Seems like only yesterday we were done with estimated tee times This edition represents one of two combined editions we do per year; Nov/Dec and May/June, so we hope to give you some good stuff to read and think about until January!
What can I say about Albee Shanefelter, this edition’s Inclusion Influencer, beyond my sincerest appreciation for him sharing his personal story with us all. Albee puts the “motivate” in “motivation” and he uses his life to lift others with his book, Be Strong, Be Well, Be Kind.
Also check out the stories from the Mid-Atlantic Blind Golf Association and some great work PGA TOUR Superstore is doing
If you have a story to share for Golf Inclusion Monthly® , just 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
ANINTERVIEWWITHALBEESHANEFELTER
Click to listen to the entire interview.
In this month’s Inclusion Influencer
Interview, Alliance Executive Director
Dave Barton interviews Albee Shanefelter, a golfer and author of Be Strong, Be Well, Be Kind - The Battle-Proven Path to Reclaim Your Life from Chronic Pain, Illness, and Other Conditions.
How’s the Golf Game... “Your golf game and your competition game are two different beasts. Everyone thinks they're gonna be the same, they show up, and they're like, what happened? But you really need to really kind of dial in and focus on what's happening ”
Practice Habits... “I'm a bit of a short game addict. Whenever I don't feel well, which tends to be a good amount of time, I actually spend all that time practicing short game thousands of putts and chips and pitches I'm really comfortable around all sorts of big greens, small greens, being in the wrong places, hard shots. ”
Resiliance... “This goes all the way back to when I was young in high school and I was on track to always be an engineer one of my easiest classes was electronics and we fixed and tried to fix If you got it to work, that was great. If not, you learned a lot. Same kind of concept. You're the winner, you win, or you learn…it really had, probably, the most significant impact on my career ”
First Symptoms... “So it was the day after [my birthday], and I was walking off the golf course and my face on the side just started burning and, you know, golf courses are absolutely beautiful, it takes a lot to go into that, so I thought, oh no, I got my hands into some kind of chemicals, and I rubbed them on my
face, so I ran into the clubhouse and I scrubbed my face, and just nothing
Well, fast forward, it turns out it's a neuro condition called trigeminal neuralgia where the nerve at the base of the brain that controls eye, cheek, and teeth pain sensations just went haywire and it got stuck on kind of like if you have a cavity and suddenly you get some ice cream and you just get that sense it was like that turned on all the time ”
The Long Road Ahead... “Being a scrappy guy I said, okay, well, let's, let's go, let's go to battle and, we did, we took the path of least invasive to most invasive, and I had one procedure after another It kind of turned into what's next, what else can we do, what's the 3-month plan, the 6-month plan and nothing really worked. ”
I finally let them kind of cut me up and they drilled out a golf ball-sized hole in my skull, and then went through, tunneled through, wrapped the nerve in Teflon While they were there, they injected glycerol into the nerve to try and give it a nice punch Well, unfortunately it was 2 months, and when I woke up, even with all the morphine and all the medicines from the surgery, just my face was now, like, literally burning my tongue, and you know, it just kind of went sideways
That last brain surgery left me pretty incapacitated I had to relearn to walk, relearn to talk I tried to hang in there at the pace that we were going, but in the kind of high-tech, Silicon Valley world, you know, you just can't go at a slow pace, it just doesn't work. So, unfortunately, that life was kind of taken away. ”
Book Origins... “That led to me having tons and tons of notes around and I would pick them up and read them and be like, oh, this is really great! Who wrote this? And then I would look … and it would be me. I was like, oh no, I should put these into a book, you know, if nothing more, at least for me …. and so it became a blueprint on how to live well around really challenging situations ”
The Unstoppable Warrior Leader... “Yeah, so this came out of my support groups We had a lot of people that were going the other direction, that just couldn't take it anymore, and giving up, and so, I was determined to keep testing and testing, and I kept sharing everything. I grew up in a family where we weren't really allowed to talk about our challenges If you were hurt or sick go get better by yourself definitely don't share it with other people So, it was really hard for me, in the beginning. I was in these small private groups, and I was able to kind of share what I was working on and what was working and what wasn't. It was a few different things there was a handful of people that were like, well, you are really unstoppable you just won't stop I was like, yeah, never I hate to use this, but I'll have one foot in the grave and be like, I think I can get 18 in, let's just go one more time.
You have to kind of warrior up I mean, and there's lots of little things that you can do throughout your day to kind of send yourself positive messages You might get knocked down, you might get kicked while you're down, and you might have to stay down for a long time, but as long as you keep getting back up … that's kind of the warrior spirit. ”
Involved vs Isolation... “That is one of the big things No matter what is happening you might feel completely isolated and like you're alone … but you're not alone. The fact that I found a community and we’re able to use the internet to connect with each other and help each other out, I mean, that's just amazing So you're really not alone and then you have your own unique path
So, what can we do to make it a little better? I'm not saying that this book or anything I'm doing is gonna fix anything but what it can do is make you just live better, just a little bit better We could get a couple people a day just to live a little better around whatever they're going through That's what it's all about and that was kind of my mission. ”
Be Resilient... “The sun comes up, you know? I think one of the biggest things that people could do is think about building a resiliency practice realize things are gonna go wrong but how you react to them really makes a difference. The physical stuff is horrible and challenging and weighs heavy but, the mental side is what really gets people … if we can really focus on our mental wellness around this, that's where we can help people win ”
Process Timeline... “You're making these choices … the guys in my cancer group, they got their diagnosis and just … they gave up and just took pills and laid on the sofa You know, I got up and went to the golf course I might have puked a little bit, and the greenskeeper was not happy, but, you know, my putts are going in and that kind of made me happy the biggest problem, is we all, like, set these big, grandiose goals, but if you can set just one tiny one in the morning, it just gives you a good kind of puff of the good stuff in your brain, and then you want another one, and another one, and next thing, you're like, holy crud, I'm functional I'm, like, getting stuff done ”
with the AdapTee Crew
Inclusion... “I mean, releasing this book I went through surgery to have a tennis ball-sized tumor removed, then we did a month of radiation, 6 months of chemo, and then two and a half months of immunotherapy during that is when we finished the book and we released it, and launched it. If I can use this material to do that, imagine what everyone else can do?”
Increasing Participation... “To get back towards the top of the pack is the first goal to do that on a consistent basis, you know, work towards continuing to play at a national level, whether it's USGA, USDGA, or other national championship-level tournaments and play well in them
Then, granted, scans, health, everything will accommodate it, start doing some global work, whether it's G4D or whatever and try to get out and be an international ambassador and champion for adaptive golf … and … be a champion too, right?”
Career Highlights... “I am just super grateful because, you know, I know that my name is on everything but it is definitely a team effort. Whether it's my direct family, the community here in Silver Spring, the adaptive golf community, the University of Maryland community, you name it, they've all been super supportive and helped us get to this point
But, you know, what I would like to say to them is even if I'm not here, they can achieve much more than your mind will let you. You just have to keep trying, keep getting up over and over, no matter what. Hopefully that message will go to them, to you, to our listeners, to everyone That's probably the most important thing ”
CHECKOUTALBEE’SBOOKAVAILABLENOWATAMAZON
As Albee’s sister Kathi relays in the forward of his book Be Strong, Be Well, Be Kind - The Battle-Proven Path to Reclaim Your Life from Chronic Pain, Illness, and Other Conditions, “Albee has shined a bright light in the disabled and chronic illness community. Hopefully, you will find yourself standing in that same light as you read this book and connect with him. It’s time for you to go forward on your own path. You are a unique person with unique challenges, but you are not alone in your journey. Wishing you a life like Albee’s, full of light, love, and purpose. ”
Hanging
ANNOUNCINGTHEADAPTIVEGOLFHALLOFFAME
RECOGNIZINGSERVICEANDCOMMITMENTTOTHEGAME
by Dave Barton, PGA
In cooperation with several leading adaptive golf organizations around the world, including EDGA, the United States Adaptive Golf Alliance (USAGA), the United States Disabled Golf Association (USDGA), and more to be announced soon who have committed to participate in the process, the Alliance is pleased to announce the establishment of the Adaptive Golf Hall of Fame with plans to induct the first class in June of 2026
The Adaptive Golf Hall of Fame will be administered by the Alliance, web-based, and hosted at aghof.org.
There is a long history of individuals and organizations bringing golfers with disabilities into a game. Although it may feel new with increased exposure through the launch of more programs around the world and most recently, television coverage of major adaptive golf events, it is important to recognize those who paved the way and laid the foundation as well as those who continue to push access and inclusion in the game in positive directions
Candidate criteria includes: 1) Service and Leadership to the Game, 2) Growth of Game Impact, 3) Initiatives, 4) Previous Awards and Honors, 5) Endorsements.
The choice of “adaptive” with respect to the Hall of Fame emerges from the actuality of the international nature of golf and an understanding that terms including, but not limited to, Golf for the Disabled, All Abilities Golfers, ParaGolf and People of Determination, essentially mean the same thing. “Adaptive” is selected as a common term to eliminate any confusion resulting from the multiplicity of terminology used in countries around the world related to efforts to foster participation of individuals with disabilities in the game of golf
Entrance into the Hall of Fame will be based on “Service and commitment to creating pathways to the game of golf for individuals with disabilities” and will include individuals and organizations who have gone above and beyond to create opportunities and support growth of the adaptive golf community This includes golfers who, by the examples they have set for others by playing and/or competing, have advocated or continue to advocate and work, to bring others to the game. Hall of Fame candidates may include those who are still with us and/or those who have passed away (posthumous)
The timeline for the 2026 Adaptive Golf Hall of Fame class is:
Jan 1 - Mar 31, 2026: Candidate Nominations
Apr 1 - May 30, 2026: Selection Committee Review
June 2026 - 2026: Inductees Announced
Candidates who are nominated will remain confidential to the Selection Committee. The selection process will be objective and will involve “scoring” and “ranking” of the candidates followed by discussion, final evaluation, and Selection Committee voting It is envisioned in years one and two that multiple candidates could be inducted to provide the foundation of the hall with a recognition some candidates may no longer be with us.
The Alliance is in the process of assembling the Adaptive Golf Hall of Fame Selection Committee and is taking great care to ensure it is objective and representative of not only the wide range of programs supporting golfers with different disabilities and impairments, but also representative of the efforts around the world in this community,
As a leading education, advocacy and resource center with a mission to increase the participation of individuals with disabilities in the game of golf and, acknowledging we do not run programs, we view this opportunity as a privilege; a privilege to serve, support and recognize the people and programs out there every day bringing the game of golf to so many who have, and will continue to benefit from all that golf has to offer
We look forward to your contributions and participation
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: WHAT’SGETTINGASKED?
A networking platform and resource center for golfers, adaptive golf leaders, and anyone who believes golf is a game for everyone.
As we approach 2026, here’s a sample of what was asked or shared on GAIN this year.
Golf resources in Oklahoma - NeuroDrive
Golf coach sought! Teenage athlete with Down Syndrome - Ohio
Looking for adaptive golf connections in Italy
Professional Adaptive Golf Tournaments
Custom fitting for an adaptive golfer - West Virginia
Dallas golfer seeking coach who works with vision impaired golfers
Free Adaptive Golf Clinic - Grand Prairie, TX
19 Year Old looking for adaptive golf car
Looking for volunteers for Adaptive Golf Clinics
Thank you to those of you who have joined and asked, or answered questions. If we help one person find an answer...mission accomplished!
EDUCATIONHUBSPOTLIGHT: MICROLEARNING
Uh, Oh. It's Cart Path Only Today!
How do you work to maintain mutually positive customer service experiences for both the customer and the club in situations where course access will likely keep some golfers from playing when it is Cart Path Only (CPO)?
If you say it is Cart Path Only, what does that actually mean on this particular day?
If it is directed towards ALL golfers, or:
Will golfers who require additional access to the fairways, or closer to tees and greens because of a disability be granted additional access?
Will seated golfers who require adaptive golf cars on all areas of the course including tees and greens be able to play today?
Published policies and well established communication practices go a long way to ensure the golf staff and golfers are all on the same page.
The Alliance Education Hub is a FREE service available to anyone in the golf industry.
ADAPTIVEGOLFATTHEPGATOURSUPERSTORE
Fox 5 Atlanta | Posted October 14, 2025
pgatour.com
PGA TOUR Superstore is on a mission and making a real impact in efforts to bring individuals with disabilities into the game of golf. Tim Wilkes, PGA, is the PGA TOUR Superstore Senior Manager, Store Services and Experiences and leads their efforts to train coaches and fitters at their stores all over the country.
With 84 stores projected by February 2026 and 100 by the end of 2027, PGA TOUR Superstore will continue to grow as a tremendous entry point to the game. Rain or shine, hot or cold, green grass or snow, they will be able to introduce individuals with disabilities to the game in an environment that for many, may seem a bit less intimidating than that first trip to a golf course.
Custom club fitting requires a different level of expertise and experience when working with golfers who, as examples only, may just have one arm, sometimes no arms, perhaps no hands or partial hands, or play from a seated position.
By offering state of the art golf simulation systems, adaptive golf club fitters and, uniquely designed custom clubs where required, PGA TOUR Superstore and their commitment to adaptive golf is a game-changer. Well played PGA TOUR Superstore!
KOALAAANDEDGACOMBINETODESIGN
PROSTHETICDEVICETOAIDGOLFPARTICIPATION
europeantour.com | Posted October 28, 2025
Ahead of the G4D Tour @ Betfred British Masters, an innovative hand tool designed to assist players with certain medical conditions and enable greater independence on the course was spotlighted
pgatour com
ABOUTTHEEDGA
Source: edgagolf.com
Golf is for Everyone and is possibly the only sport where players of all ages and abilities can compete with each other.
One of the primary missions of EDGA is to help individuals with impairment to start, stay, succeed and enjoy golf.
EDGA currently has a membership of 36 National Federations located worldwide with 39% beyond Europe.
Recent members include Golf Australia, New Zealand Golf, The Indian Golf Union, The Costa Rica Golf Association, The Argentina Golf Association, Golf South Africa, The Israeli Golf Association, The Lebanese Golf Federation and Golf Canada.
HOWTOPLAYADAPTEEGOLF!
By Josh Basile, Founder, AdapTee
Ricky breaks down the basics of how to play a full round of AdapTee Golf. Watch (below) and learn how an able-bodied caddie can facilitate each shot with clear direction from their AdapTee Golfer.
We’re proud to share our very first AdapTee Golf
“How-To” short video a quick look at how players of all abilities can experience golf in new, adaptive ways
From high-quad athletes to first-time caddies, this video breaks down the simple setup, teamwork, and innovation that make AdapTee Golf possible where every player has the power to lead their own game
Stay tuned we’ll be releasing more in-depth educational videos by the end of the year, covering adaptive techniques, caddie training, and advanced setup tips for swingless clubs, ball launchers, and putting systems
Together, we’re changing how the world plays golf one AdapTee golfer at a time!
To learn more please contact the AdapTee Golf Director - andrew@spinalpedia.com
BLINDGOLFASSOCIATIONHELPSATHLETES
TAKEBIGSWINGSACROSSDELAWAREVALLEY
By Matteo Iadonisi | 6abc Philadelphia
| Posted October 18,
2025
LUMBERTON, New Jersey (WPVI) -- Blind and visually impaired athletes can take big swings at greatness with the Middle Atlantic Blind Golf Association (MABGA).
MABGA hosts golf outings across the Delaware Valley throughout the year in addition to hosting an annual fundraising tournament.
Golfers are aided by coaches who help align their shots and aim for the hole. Some athletes may count their steps between the ball and the hole to make the best shot Some coaches shake the flag pole or provide audio cues to point golfers in the right direction.
But apart from golf, they also teach life lessons on the green.
The co-ed program serves blind or visually impaired athletes ages 7-21. Their clinics and outings are free to participate
Today, they held an event at Golden Pheasant Golf Club in Lumberton Township
Watch the video above to hear the stories of three amazing athletes involved in the program.
To learn more about the Middle Atlantic Blind Golf Association, visit their website.
6THGEORGIAADAPTIVEOPEN CHAMPIONSCROWNED!
Content and Images sourced with permission form the Georgia State Golf Association (GSGA)
The Georgia State Golf Association (GSGA) conducted their 6th Georgia Adaptive Open September 18-20, 2025 at the Sea Island Golf Club - Retreat Course with a packed field of competitors from around the country… and the world!
2025 Champions are pictured above, each capturing their first Georgia Adaptive Open title!
Overall - Eli Villanueva, North Carolina
Women’s - Amy Bockerstette, Arizona
Seated - Justin Miller, Arizona
Congratulations as well to all the Impairment Category and USAGA Sport Class winners and top finishers on an incredible week!
Full results from the week can be found at the link below!
RESULTS
6THGEORGIAADAPTIVEOPEN SNAPSHOTS
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
