Welcome, George Willoughby NAGA's new Executive Director.
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January 21st, 2025
The Board of Trustees would like to announce the appointment of George Willoughby to the office of Executive Director. George is a long-time member of NAGA and a participant in our annual Championship. His professional background will help grow NAGA. we'd like to thank Bradley Schubert for his time as the interim Executive Director during this process. Brad will continue his role as the Midwest Trustee. George will report directly to the Board of Trustees. According to the NAGA bylaws, the Executive Director shall be the association's principal officer and supervise the association's business, affairs, and other officers. The Executive Director shall preside at all meetings of the members and the board but shall have no voting rights with respect to actions by the board unless there is a tie or when necessary to effect a quorum. He/She may sign, as authorized by the Board or this Article, any deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts, or other legal instruments which the Board has authorized to be executed, except in cases where signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board, NAGA bylaws or by statute to some other office or agent of the association; and in general shall perform all duties related to the Executive Director. This position has no set annual salary but is set to earn 10% of cash donations and awards to NAGA through fundraising. |
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About NAGA
Dale Bourisseau came home from World War II with a below knee amputation and a burning desire to return to his beloved golf hobby. Bourisseau found a job in sales, and despite the change in his body, started playing golf again. He traveled with his golf clubs, ever looking for golfing opportunities, particularly with amputees. Bourisseau greatly enjoyed the recreation golf gave him. He also liked to show his ability to others, perhaps giving them encouragement, a sense of pride, and self-confidence to try something new. Soon, he began trying to find other veterans who had injuries like his and started talking to them about playing golf as a hobby. By 1954, Bourisseau had a nucleus of 12 men who would be the founding members of the National Amputee Golf Association. NAGA was supported by the Professional Golf Association (PGA) and the United States Golf Association (USGA).
Today, NAGA has more than 2,000 members in the US and 200 members from 17 other countries across the globe. In addition to the annual National Amputee Golf Tournament and National Amputee Senior Championship, NAGA sponsors many local and regional tournaments throughout the country. Perhaps NAGA’s highest visibility occurs because of the First Swing Program, which teaches adaptive golf to people with physical disabilities. Currently, more than 30 clinics are held across the country every year. Additionally, to assist a growing number of physical, occupational and recreational therapists who realized the adaptability of golf as a component of rehabilitation, NAGA brought its First Swing program to hospitals and rehabilitation centers throughout the U.S. in 1989.
Thousands of amputees and physically challenged individuals have rediscovered their sense of personal pride through their participation in these NAGA programs.
Today, NAGA has more than 2,000 members in the US and 200 members from 17 other countries across the globe. In addition to the annual National Amputee Golf Tournament and National Amputee Senior Championship, NAGA sponsors many local and regional tournaments throughout the country. Perhaps NAGA’s highest visibility occurs because of the First Swing Program, which teaches adaptive golf to people with physical disabilities. Currently, more than 30 clinics are held across the country every year. Additionally, to assist a growing number of physical, occupational and recreational therapists who realized the adaptability of golf as a component of rehabilitation, NAGA brought its First Swing program to hospitals and rehabilitation centers throughout the U.S. in 1989.
Thousands of amputees and physically challenged individuals have rediscovered their sense of personal pride through their participation in these NAGA programs.
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NAGA is a proud member of the United States Adaptive Golf Alliance. The USAGA is a national coalition of leading adaptive golf organizations working together to grow the game of golf for the special needs community. Click on the USAGA logo for more information.
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