WELLEN PARK \u2014 \u201cGolf is for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n
That\u2019s an expression the Rotary Club Club at Wellen Park and the Adaptive Golf Association both support and believe.<\/p>\n
The pair of nonprofits are now hosting \u201cadaptive golf clinics\u201d every fourth Wednesday of the month at the Wellen Park Golf and Country Club.<\/p>\n
Each clinic goes from 10 a.m. to noon and is free to take part in with an RSVP.<\/p>\n
On a recent Wednesday, participants from the North Port Loveland Center \u2014 a nonprofit that helps children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities \u2014 were given lessons on how to swing golf clubs and whacked some bright yellow balls into a pond.<\/p>\n
One of those Loveland participants was Savannah Jones. She received some help in her chair swinging a golf club as her fellow Loveland students watched on from under a canopy tent.<\/p>\n
Jones\u2019 instructor helped her get her handling right.<\/p>\n
Jones was focused.<\/p>\n
Her eyes, taking refuge from the sun above under the brim of a Tampa Bay Rays ball cap, were concentrated on the bright yellow golf ball down below.<\/p>\n
Bang. Direct hit.<\/p>\n
Her ball sliced across the grass toward the pond.<\/p>\n
\u201cGreat job,\u201d some instructors said after she hit the ball, giving her an applause.<\/p>\n
Jones said \u201cthank you\u201d and smiled so big the cormorants across the water may have seen it.<\/p>\n
Chloe Brown also showed off a big smile after hitting a number of balls into the water. Brown was loving it. She may have hit more balls than anyone else in Wellen Park that day. She wore a pink, floppy hat that wiggled each time she hit a ball, many her hits plopped into the water in front of her.<\/p>\n
The adaptive golf clinics give people like Jones, Brown and others \u2014 who may not have had a chance to play golf otherwise \u2014 the opportunity to strut their swing and try the sport out.<\/p>\n
Organizers of the clinics say there are also stroke survivors, veterans with PTSD and people with a number of other disabilities who take part.<\/p>\n
Amanda Maes, an instructor at the North Port Loveland Center, said it was really important for the Loveland students to get out and have fun.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s not a lot of opportunity for them to get out into the community and do normal things,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Some things, Maes said, aren\u2019t as easy for people with disabilities to navigate.<\/p>\n
The adaptive golf, however, was accessible for her students and people of all abilities.<\/p>\n
Maes said the students were all really looking forward to playing golf and were buzzing on the bus ride over. Upon arrival at the driving range their excitement was palpable. Each took turns hitting balls.<\/p>\n
Walter Pawlowski, a coach and coordinator along with James Corbett, Rich Wilbert and some others were at the course teaching the Loveland students how to play, letting them do their thing in a supportive, encouraging way.<\/p>\n
Pawlowski, himself, is a golfer with a disability who plays from a scooter.<\/p>\n
Years ago, Pawlowski suffered a severe back injury as well as a stroke. He is also a Vietnam veteran.<\/p>\n
But that didn\u2019t stop him from playing. Nothing would. Prior to his disability, Pawlowski played at iconic courses across the country. He modestly admitted he was quite the golfer and still is.<\/p>\n
Before Loveland students took swings, Pawlowski was sure to get some in as well. The chair on his scooter leaned forward but kept him strapped in and he hammered some balls.<\/p>\n
Pawlowski said they just started the clinics about two months ago and things are going well.<\/p>\n
The pair of nonprofits running things have worked with North Port Parks and Recreation and also have a flyer floating around out there as well, he said. The work to do the clinics, he said, is done by a group of volunteers.<\/p>\n
Pawlowski wants to hold more clinics each month and would love it to get to a point where stipends can be provided to some of the hard workers helping out.<\/p>\n
In Sarasota, he said, there\u2019s an adaptive clinic every week.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d love to get there, if possible. I know there\u2019s 20 people here, at least, who want to play golf again,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Ginger Miranda, with the Wellen Park Rotary Club, said the Rotary Club at Wellen Park is \u201cproud to serve as a community partner with the Adaptive Golf Association in supporting these clinics.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are excited about the positive impact these clinics are making in our community and would love to see continued support and awareness for this important program,\u201d Miranda said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe clinics provide opportunities for participants to build confidence, develop skills, and enjoy the many benefits of recreation and social connection,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The next three clinics will be at 10 a.m. on:<\/p>\n
Space is limited and RSVPs are required.<\/p>\n