Orlando, Florida, United States: The United States Adaptive Golf Alliance (USAGA) will attend next month’s PGA Merchandise Show, spreading the message that there are many opportunities for the disabled to learn golf, play golf, compete in tournaments and enjoy the many benefits the game offers.
The USAGA is a 501(C)3 national coalition of adaptive golf organisations with common goals and objectives. The USAGA is the umbrella organisation and includes 34-member organisations across the United States, providing adaptive golf to more than 18,000 individuals of which 24% are wounded veterans.
The USAGA mission is to provide these individuals an opportunity to learn and gain access to play the game despite any cognitive, physical, sensory or age-related impairments or challenges.
The USAGA’s space at the PGA Merchandise Show (January 23-25, 2019) in booth 590 will include hitting stations to showcase adaptive golfers, representation from their 34 member organisations who support the disabled community throughout the country every day, vendors and sponsors, as well as an interview area to discuss the growth and trends in adaptive golf.
Sports television personality, radio host, golf correspondent and author Ann Liguori will make appearances in the USAGA booth, interviewing several top adaptive players in addition to Edmund ‘EQ’ Sylvester, Founder and Chairman, USAGA; Mark Johnson, USAGA Advancement Director; Tracy Ramin, USAGA Competitions & Player Relations Chairman; Gianna Rojas, USAGA Brand Awareness Chairman; David Windsor, Instruction Chairman and National PGA of America 2015 ‘Patriot Award’ Recipient; and Dennis Walters, Paraplegic PGA Pro, 2018 Bobby Jones Award Winner and 2019 Inductee World Golf Hall of Fame.
“We’re delighted that Ann Liguori will be interviewing several of our adaptive golf stars and spreading the message about our vision which is advancing human potential and promoting equality for the disabled through the game of golf,” said Sylvester. “Ann has played golf with several of our adaptive golfers and has been a friend of USAGA for many years.
“2019 will be a busy year for USAGA and our member organisations. Our USA Para-Golf Team will be competing in Spain (June 2-6). The Para-Golf Open will be hosted by the USAGA and played on the famous Dubs Dread course at Cog Hill Golf Club (August 19-23). Over 100 Para-Golf athletes from around the world are expected to compete. A Pro-Am event will be held with PGA professionals from the BMW Championship.
“USAGA will also hold clinics for children with disabilities from around the Chicago area, hosted by members of the USA Para-Golf team and players from the International Para-Golf team. The Para-Golf Championship (August 21-23) will be the first of its kind and demonstrate what ‘inclusion’ really means. USAGA is also excited to host children with disabilities at the Shriners Champion Tour event in October in Las Vegas for the third consecutive year.”