NAGA in conjunction with the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Charitable Trust and
the Professional Golf Association (PGA)
sponsors nationwide "First Swing" seminars and "Learn to Golf" clinics annually. The one-or-two day clinics bring golf professionals, physical and recreational therapists, and the physically challenged together to teach, learn, and enjoy golf.
The First Swing began in 1988 and was developed and perfected by a double below knee amputee, Bob Wilson, National Amputee Golf Association Executive Director. The program was designed to instruct therapists to teach and encourage the disabled to learn, or re-learn, the game of golf — not only because just about every
physically challenged individual, regardless of age, is able to play, but also because it contributes dramatically to the individual’s emotional and physical well-being, instilling self-confidence and pride in personal achievement.
The First Swing also enables the individual to enjoy the unique, friendly atmosphere found on the golf course.
Rehabilitation hospitals, parks, recreational departments and prosthetic and orthotic centers host the one or two-day program.
The first day of the program teaches the basics of the game to therapists and others interested in correctly teaching the disabled. The rules of golf and the singular differences presented by various types of disabled individuals are discussed. Participants are invited to swing a club standing on one leg, sitting in a wheel chair, using only one hand, etc., to better appreciate the demands that will be made on their educational training in teaching others. The second day is devoted to instructing the disabled participants attending the learn to golf clinic phase of the program under the supervision of NAGA instructors.
For a list of instructors in your area,Click here.
NAGA's
2010
First Swing Seminars
Learn
to Golf Clinics Schedule
Last
Updated
August 08 2010 18:59:15.
2010 NAGA "First Swing" Seminars and "Learn to Golf" Clinics for Persons with Physical Disabilities
March 15-16
Golf House (Little Course @ Aspen Grove)
Jeff Abbott, Executive Director Tennessee PGA
400 Franklin Rd.
Franklin, TN 37069
Phone: 615-7909-7600 xt 247
E-mail: jabbot@pgahq.com
April 17-18
The Villages, FL (The Villages)
Maria Brooks, LPGA
The Villages, FL 32162
Phone: 352-259-8121
FAX: 352-259-5840
E-mail: Maria.Brooks@thevillages.com
April 22
Philadelphia, PA (Burholme Park Golf Center)
Moss Rehab Hospital
Kathy Elokdah, CTRS
60 E. Township Line Rd.
Elkins Park, PA 19030
Phone: 215-663-6405
E-mail: kelodah@einstein.edu
April 30
Center Valley, PA (Center Valley Club)
Good Shepherd Rehab Hospital
Linda Bollinger CTRS
Good Shepherd Plaza, 850 S. 5th St.
Allentown, PA 18103
Phone: 610-776-3588
E-mail: lbollinger@gsrh.org
May 4
Midlothian, VA (Windy Hill Sports Complex)
Sheltering Arms Physical Rehab Centers, Richmond, VA
Alison Clarke, CTRS
8254 Atlee Rd.
Mechanicsville, VA 23116-1844
Phone: 804-764-5272
E-mail: aclarke@shelteringarms.com
May 5
Suffolk, VA (Suffolk GC)
Disabled American Veterans Chapter #5
Isaac Baker, Cdr.
627 Brook Dr.
Suffolk, VA 23434-5923
Phone: 757-539-0918
E-mail: ingoditrust3@verizon.net
May 11
Marlton, NJ (Indian Spring GC)
Marlton Rehab Hospital
Melissa Osborne, CTRS
92 Brick Dr.
Marlton, NJ 08818
Phone: 856-988-8778 xt 2033
E-mail: mosborne@marltonrehab.com
May 11
Edison, NJ (Inman GC)
JFK Rehab Institute P&O Center
Sue Callaghan, PT
65 James St.
Edison, NJ 08818
Phone: 732-321-7056
E-mail: suecpt@msn.com
May 13
Bedford, MA (Patriot Golf Course)
Bedford, VA Medical Center
Joe Grimard, Recreation Therapist
Bldg 78, Room 301
Bedford VA Medical Center
200 Springs Road
Bedford, MA 01730
Phone: 781-687-3043
E-mail: joseph.grimard@va.gov
May 21
Benton, PA (Mill Race GC)
Health South Geisinger Hospital
Tony Cerminaro, PT
774 Miller Rd.
Unityville, PA 17774
Phone: 570-752-5009
E-mail: Anthony.cerminaro@healthsouth.com
May 21
Elmsford, NY (Fairview GC)
Burke Rehab Hospital
Deirdre Otto, CTRS
785 Mamaroneck Ave.
White Plains, NY 10605
Phone: 914-597-2355
E-mail: dotto@burke.org
May 26
Saddlebrook, NJ (Willowbrook GC)
Kessler Institute for Rehab
Ann Marie Chesterman, CTRS
300 Market St.
Saddlebrook, NJ 07666
Phone: 201-368-6012
E-mail: achesterman@kessler-rehab.com
June 4
Schenectady, NY (Stadium GC)
Sunnyview Rehab Hospital
Connie Todt, CTRS
1270 Belmont Ave.
Schenectady, NY 12308
Phone: 518-0382-4576
E-mail: todtc@nehealth.com
June 5
Sandwich, MA (Sandwich Hollows GC)
Rehabilitation Hospital of the Cape and Islands (RHCI)
Craig Bautz
51 Chipman Rd.
Sandwich, MA 02563
Phone: 508-566-3298
E-mail: cmbautz@capealeleaventures.org
June 6
Braintree, MA (Braintree Municipal GC)
Bob Beach PGA
101Jefferson St.
Braintree, MA 02184
Phone: 781-843-6513
E-mail: golfshop@braintreegolf.com
June 9
Tinton Falls, NJ (Twin Brook Golf Center)
Manfredi Orthotics & Prosthetics
John Manfredi, CP
289 Broadway
Long Branch, NJ 07740
E-mail: jean.manfreid@verizon.net
June 9
St John North Shores Hospital
Harrison Twp Michigan 48045
Dawn Gerbasi
Phone: (586) 466-5234
E-mail: Dawn.Gerbasi@stjohn.org
June 11-12
Birmingham, AL (Highland’s Golf Course)
BioTech Limb and Brace
Michael Perley
2421 4th Ave. South
Birmingham, AL 35233
Phone: 205-324-7897
E-mail: mperley@biotechlimbandbrace.com
June 15
Northfield, NJ (Atlantic City CC)
Orthotic & Prosthetic Assistance Fund
Robin Burton –Exec. Dir.
536 Sunset Rd.
Waterloo, IA 50701
Phone: 319-235-4318
E-mail: rlb@opfund.org
July 23-24
Bismarck, ND (Fore Seasons Center Golf Dome)
University of Mary Program in Physical Therapy
Mary Dockter, PT, PhD
7500 University Drive, Bismarck, ND 58504
Phone 701-355-8045
E-mail: mcdoc@umary.edu
August 20
Kenilworth, NJ (Galloping Hill GC)
Co. of Union NJ Parks, Recreation & Facilities
Margaret Heisey
Union Co. Admin. Bldg.
Elizabeth, NJ 07207
Phone: 908-527-4806
E-mail: mheisey@ucnj.org
August 23-24
Boeing Seattle
Snoqualmie Ridge Golf Course
Barbara Bond-Howard, MA, CTRS/R
36005 SE Ridge Street
Snoqualmie, WA 98065
Phone: 206.341.0199
More information: 206-341-0561
E-mail: Barbara.Bond.Howard@vmmc.org
Web: www.boeingclassic.com
September 8
Phoenixville, PA (Rivercrest GC & Preserve)
Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital
Ashley Slick, CTRS
414 Paoli Pike
Malvern, PA 19355
Phone: 610-420-4080
E-mail: ashley.arora5@gmail.com
September 11
Hanover, PA (South Hills GC)
Highlander Special Needs Foundation
Tommy Wade
340 Grant Dr.
Hanover, PA 17331
Phone: 215-823-4507
E-mail: twade@snyders-han.com
September 17
Northport, NY (Sunken Meadow GC)
Northport VA Medical Center
Domenic D’Achille, CTRS
79 Middleville Rd.
Northport, NY 11768
Phone: 631-261-4400 xt 7529
E-mail: Domenic.Dachille@med.va.gov
September 20 & 21
Millington, TN (Glen Eagle Golf Course)
Debra Howze, Head
Fitness, Sports and Aquatics (MWR)
Naval Support Activity, Mid-South
Milliington, TN 38054
Phone: 901-874-5159
E-mail: futurefit53@yahoo.com
October 5
Malvern, PA (White Manor CC)
ReMed Brain Injury Rehab
Joanne Finegan, CTRS
16 Industrial Blvd. Ste. 203
Paoli, PA 19301-1609
E-mail: jfinegan@remed.com
* “First Swing” Seminars for Recreation Therapists, Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Park & Recreation Directors, PGA, LPGA, USGTA Professionals. Attendees may receive CEU credits/hours. All events are "Learn to Golf" clinics for Individuals with Disabilities.
physically challenged individual, regardless of age, is able to play, but also because it contributes dramatically to the individual’s emotional and physical well-being, instilling self-confidence and pride in personal achievement.