By Irene Maslowski
Free Program on Adaptive Golf for Persons with Disabilities, Therapists and Golf Pros
Individuals with disabilities will have a unique opportunity to learn about the basics of golf and therapists and golf professionals will receive instruction on providing their clients with adaptive golf techniques at the 26th Annual NAGA First Swing Seminar and Learn to Golf Clinic to be held on May 23. The two-part program includes a morning session for golf pros and physical, occupational and recreation therapists at Kessler Institute in Saddle Brook, N.J. The afternoon session will be a hands-on clinic for persons with disabilities, golf pros and therapists at the Willowbrook Golf Center in Wayne.
Sponsored by Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation (www.kessler-rehab.com) and the National Amputee Golf Association (www.nagagolf.org), these free interactive sessions offer the specialized training, techniques and equipment to enable persons with disabilities to participate in the game of golf.
First Swing Seminar: For therapists and golf pros only – 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation 300 Market Street, Saddle Brook, N.J. Classroom discussion will cover basic techniques of golf, including rules and special equipment as they relate to persons with disabilities. Participants will experience some of the challenges persons with disabilities face and the adaptive strategies they must use in order to participate in the sport. Continuing education credits are available.
Learn to Golf Clinic: For golfers with disabilities, therapists and golf pros n 12:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Willowbrook Golf Center Route 46 Service Road-East, Wayne, N.J.
Participants will review the basics of golf to help improve functional skills and will be taught how to use adaptive equipment by Learn to Golf instructors and Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation staff members.
For more information or to register for the 26th Annual NAGA First Swing Seminar or Learn to Golf Clinic, contact Mary Mamrak at 973.414.4725 or Anne Marie Chesterman at 201.368.6012 at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation.
Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, the nation’s largest single rehabilitation hospital, is one of only five federally-designated Model Systems in the nation for the treatment and research of both spinal cord and brain injuries. That same level of quality care and innovative treatment distinguishes its programs for stroke, amputation, neurological diseases, cardiac recovery, orthopedic and musculoskeletal rehabilitation. Ranked as one of the top two rehabilitation hospitals in the nation and best in the East by U.S.News & World Report, Kessler has three hospital campuses in West Orange, Saddle Brook and Chester, N.J., and more than 80 outpatient centers throughout the state. For more information, visit www.kessler-rehab.com.
The National Association of Golf Amputees was founded by a small group of amputee golfers that quickly developed into regional tournament play in various cities across the United States. Today, NAGA has over 2500 members worldwide. For more information, visit www.nanagolf.org.
