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Chicago Teacher One Of Many To Benefit From Additional $1.3 Million In USGA Grants
October 23, 2003
Colorado Springs, Colo. -- In 1998, John Wroe, a public school teacher in Chicago, Ill., was assaulted when he tried to break up a fight among students. This attack resulted in head trauma, an eventual stroke and a lifelong disability. In 2003, however, John Wroe is the envy of many avid golfers. He has made two holes-in-one in just two months and is an active golfer and equally inspiring golfer.
Wroe is one of almost 7,000 disabled individuals nationwide to take part in United States Golf Association (USGA) supported programs across the nation in 2003. The USGA has recently announced $304,000 in grants to eight golf programs serving disabled individuals in Illinois, Pennsylvania, New York, Michigan, Texas, New Jersey, Ohio and Nebraska.
The grants for these programs are part of $1.3 million in funding being awarded by the USGA to junior and disabled golf programs across the country this October. The grants bring the USGA's total giving in 2003 to $5.7 million. This funding, which will help more than 200,000 people learn to play the game, is part of the USGA's effort to bring golf to non-traditional audiences and also to grow the game.
"The USGA has a 10-year, $50-million commitment to making the game of golf affordable and accessible," said USGA President Reed Mackenzie. "I'm extremely pleased, that with this most recent round of grants, we were able to recognize the invaluable contribution golf programs make to help individuals with disabilities learn the game, or in John Wroe's case, help golfers who have suffered injury learn to play again."
Wroe is an example of the success of USGA supported programs. He plays golf at the Challenge Course and driving range, part of the Edwin Shaw Hospital for Rehabilitation in Akron, Ohio. The Challenge Course was the nation's first golf course for the physically challenged. Special features of the course include wheelchair accessible paths, handrails on the tees and slopes that measure at an 8 percent incline or less. PGA Professional Ron Tristano has managed the Challenge Course since 1991. The USGA has provided more than $76,850 in funding to Edwin Shaw Hospital for Rehabilitation since 1993. In the current round of USGA funding, the Edwin Shaw Hospital Development Foundation was awarded a three-year, $45,000 grant to support golf instruction and course and driving range access.
"The USGA's continued support of the Challenge Course is invaluable," said Tristano. "With its support and that of many other organizations we have been able to help hundreds who otherwise would not have the chance to experience and enjoy the game of golf."
The USGA also manages the Resource Center For Individuals with Disabilities (http://www.resourcecenter.usga.org/), that serves as a clearinghouse of information for those interested in returning to golf after a disabling injury or physically challenged individuals who are interested in starting to play. The center provides information on adaptive equipment, a modification to the Rules of Golf for disabled golfers and spectator assistance at USGA championships. It also provides assistance and data bases to golf instructors, therapists, golf course owners and equipment vendors in their efforts to make the game more accessible.
Additional programs aimed at helping disabled golfers that received support from the USGA in this round of funding include:
The Heart of Variety Fund was awarded $30,000 to help 420 youth with disabilities attending its summer camp receive golf instruction from PGA professionals and specialized therapists.
Hogan's Junior Golf program was awarded a $47,000 grant to start a golf program at Miller Park Golf Course. The program will serve 150 participants, recruited through the Omaha Children's Respite Care Center and the Opportunity Industrialization Center adult daycare program. Participants will receive group instruction that adapts to their respective disabilities and emphasizes a self-esteem and confidence-building life skills curriculum. USGA funds will be used for instruction, transportation, and single-rider golf carts.
The Maryhaven Center for Hope was awarded two grants totaling $12,350. A $4,750 grant will be used to construct a 1,800-square foot putting green with adjacent bunker, located in Point Jefferson Station. The golf facility will serve 110 participants and will help encourage future competition in the Special Olympics. A second grant for $7,600 will support golf instruction for 30 individuals with disabilities at instructional clinics that include vocational training.
The Professional Clubmakers' Society was awarded $10,000 to support the publication of "The Forgotten Foursome - Second Edition," a book that provides information to clubmakers and golfers on fitting and adapting golf clubs for individuals with disabilities. It demonstrates how people with disabilities would swing a club as well as the limitations of their swing with regard to their specific disability or injury. Case studies include analysis of individuals with an amputated limb, arthritis, grip disorders, a knee injury, or skeletal dysplasia. It also focuses on an individual who has had a stroke, polio, has gone blind, or someone who has a general physical illness.
The Sparrow Foundation was awarded $30,000 to support the expansion of its adaptive golf programs. In 2003, the Foundation operated two programs that served 60 adults with disabilities. In 2004, the Foundation will expand to three programs serving 80 participants. Each program consists of an introductory clinic followed by six on-course sessions. Trained therapists and an adaptive golf teacher will provide specialized instruction.
Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago was awarded $8,250 to support the RIC Golf Program, which provides opportunities for individuals with disabilities in the Chicago area. USGA funds will be used to provide adaptive equipment, access, and instruction to participants in the RIC Golf Program.
The Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children was awarded $120,000 to help teach golf to 100 youth with orthopedic conditions, related neurological disorders, and learning disabilities. USGA funds will be used to cover instruction, course and range access, equipment, and transportation costs for the next three years.
Arc of Sussex Country was awarded $1,400 to support a program that partners participants with coaches who play together at a local golf course and driving range on a weekly basis during the summer. Approximately 12 individuals will participate next summer.
Other charitable golf programs and projects awarded funding for golf for minorities, juniors and people with disabilities include:
| Organization Name |
City, State |
Grant Amount |
| First Tee of Fort Smith, Arkansas |
Fort Smith, Ark. |
$15,000 |
| Challengers Boys and Girls Club |
Los Angeles, Calif. |
$8,700 |
| Young Golfers of America Association |
Los Angeles, Calif. |
$40,000 |
| The Ace Foundation |
Oakland, Calif |
$15,000 |
| Parlier Unified School District |
Parlier, Calif. |
$4,200 |
| Ventura County Junior Golf Association |
Ventura, Calif. |
$5,000 |
| Lemon Bay Junior Golf Foundation |
Grove City, Fla. |
$7,900 |
| Boys & Girls Club of Martin County |
Hobe Sound, Fla. |
$20,000 |
| Smart School Inc. |
Lauderhill, Fla. |
$20,000 |
| City of St. Petersburg |
St. Petersburg, Fla. |
$17,000 |
| YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta |
Atlanta, Ga. |
$20,000 |
| H & J Junior Golf Program |
Stone Mountain, Ga. |
$6,600 |
| Lewis-Clark State College |
Lewiston, Idaho |
$7,000 |
| University of Idaho |
Moscow, Idaho |
$9,000 |
| Swing N Putt Youth Golf Foundation |
Chicago, Ill. |
$15,000 |
| Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago |
Chicago, Ill. |
$8,250 |
| The First Tee of Chicago Foundation |
Chicago, Ill. |
$12,000 |
| South Suburban Home School & Gym Group |
Chicago Heights, Ill. |
$10,000 |
| Homewood Flossmoor Park District |
Flossmoor, Ill. |
$50,000 |
| Proviso-Leyden Council for Community Action |
Hillside, Ill. |
$5,000 |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis |
Indianapolis, Ind. |
$12,500 |
| Boys & Girls Club of Topeka |
Topeka, Kan. |
$7,500 |
| Professional Clubmakers' Society |
Louisville, Ky. |
$10,000 |
| Baltimore Municipal Golf Corporation |
Baltimore, Md. |
$3,300 |
| Rising S.T.A.R.S. Youth Scholarship Foundation |
Bethesda, Md. |
$25,000 |
| Baltimore County Public Schools |
Towson, Md. |
$32,000 |
| Third Eye, Incorporated |
Detroit, Mich. |
$5,000 |
| Sparrow Foundation |
Lansing, Mich. |
$30,000 |
| Boys and Girls Club of Detroit Lakes |
Detroit Lakes, Minn. |
$4,500 |
| Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board |
Minneapolis, Minn. |
$37,000 |
| Caddy for Kids |
Minneapolis, Minn. |
$5,000 |
| McComb School District |
McComb, Miss. |
$6,000 |
| Junior Golfer Assistance Program |
Wilmington, N.C. |
$8,500 |
| Maddock Golf Association |
Maddock, N.D. |
$2,800 |
| Hogan's Junior Golf Heroes Foundation |
Omaha, Neb. |
$47,000 |
| The Arc of Sussex County |
Augusta, N.J. |
$1,400 |
| City of Englewood Parks and Recreation |
Englewood, N.J. |
$8,000 |
| Sun Country Junior Golf Foundation |
Bernalillo, N.M. |
$20,000 |
| Gloria Wise Boys & Girls Club |
Bronx, N.Y. |
$18,500 |
| Maryhaven Center of Hope |
Port Jefferson, N.Y. |
$7,600 |
| Maryhaven Center of Hope |
Port Jefferson, N.Y. |
$4,750 |
| Edwin Shaw Hospital Development Foundation |
Akron, Ohio |
$45,000 |
| Cambridge Area YMCA |
Cambridge, Ohio |
$10,000 |
| Girl Scouts of Maumee Valley Council. |
Toledo, Ohio |
$8,000 |
| Martin Luther King Evangelical Outreach Center |
Ardmore, Okla. |
$12,000 |
| Boys & Girls Club of Tahlequah |
Tahlequah, Okla. |
$13,000 |
| Black Women In Sport Foundation |
Philadelphia, Pa. |
$44,000 |
| Heart of Variety Fund |
Philadelphia, Pa. |
$30,000 |
| Buhl Farm Trust |
Sharon, Pa. |
$3,000 |
| Greater Austin First Tee |
Austin, Texas |
$25,000 |
| Greater Austin First Tee |
Austin, Texas |
$50,000 |
| Imagine Foundation |
Brazoria, Texas |
$19,000 |
| Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children |
Dallas, Texas |
$120,000 |
| Connections Individual & Family Services |
New Braunfels, Texas |
$45,000 |
| Central Texas Junior Golf Association |
New Braunfels, Texas |
$10,000 |
| The Texas Educational Foundation |
San Marcos, Texas |
$20,000 |
| Youth On Course |
Salt Lake City, Utah |
$100,000 |
| Danville Youth GROW |
Danville, Va. |
$14,500 |
| Boys & Girls Club of Langlade County |
Antigo, Wis. |
$4,200 |
| Campbell County Parks and Recreation |
Gillette, Wyo. |
$75,000 |
| Golf Exposure |
Washington D.C. |
$17,500 |
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The USGA, through its 'For the Good of the Game' Grants initiative, works to make the game of golf affordable and accessible in the United States. Since 1997, it has awarded more than $38 million as part of its 10-year, $50-million commitment to provide financial support and assistance to deserving golf programs. The grants initiative traditionally focuses on programming for economically disadvantaged youth and individuals with disabilities. Beyond its Grants Initiative, the USGA partners with national organizations to promote affordable and accessible facility development, course access, girls golf, and initiatives for individuals with disabilities. During the past six years, the USGA has fostered the professional development of recent college graduates through its Fellowship in Leadership and Service program. USGA Fellows learn about the non-profit sector, grant-making, varied business skills and have the opportunity to develop personally and professionally through hands-on experiences. Currently,
the USGA has 12 Fellows working in Colorado Springs.
For more information on the USGA Grants Initiative and Fellowship Program, contact the Grants office at (719) 471-4810 or visit the Grants Section of the USGA's Web site at www.usga.org.
E-mail address: mediarelations@usga.org
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