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.
April 18
Marlton, NJ. (Indian Spring G.C.)
Philadelphia VA Medical Ctr. (Military Vets Only)
Bethany Purdue, RT
University & Woodland Ave. RMS-117
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Phone: 215-823-4507
E-mail: bethany.purdue@va.gov
April 19
Philadelphia, PA (Burholme Park Golf Center)
Moss Rehab Hospital
Anne Weiland, CTRS
60 E. Township Line Rd.
Elkins Park, PA 19030
Phone: 215-663-6405
E-mail: weilanda@einstein.edu
April 23
State College, PA (Penn State G.C.)
Penn State PGM School
Burch Wilkes
203 Henderson Bldg. S
University Park, PA 16802-6504
Phone: 814-863-8987
E-mail: gbw104@psu.edu
May 1
Edison, NJ (Inman G. Center)
JFK Rehab Institute P&O Clinic
Sue Callaghan, PT
65 James St.
Edison, NJ 08818
Phone: 732-321-7056
E-mail: suecpt@msn.com
May 3
Suffolk, VA (Suffolk GC)
Disabled American Veterans Chapter 5
Issac Baker, Commander
627 Brook Dr.
Suffolk, VA23434-5923
Phone: 757-539-0918
May 4th, 5th
Farmington, NM (Pinion Hills GC) & San Juan College
Living Life After Stroke Support Group
Gary Willmart
P.O. Box 6549
Navajo Dam, NM 87419
Phone: 505-632-0440
E-mail: flyfshrs@wildblue.net
May 4
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 7
Debuque, IA (Derby Grange GC)
First Swing Learn to Golf for Iowa Veterans
Orthotic & Prosthetic Foundation
Robin Burton, Executive Director
Phone: 319-235-4318
E-mail: rlb@opfund.org
May 8
Marlton, NJ (Indian Spring G.C.)
Marlton Rehab Hospital
Melissa Osborne, CTRS
92 Brick Dr.
Marlton, NJ 08053
Phone: 856-988-8778 xt 2033
E-mail: mosborne@marltonrehab.com
May 10
West Chester, PA (Penn Oaks C.C.)
West Chester Area YMCA
Loretta Cohen
605 Airport Rd.
West Chester, PA 19380
Phone: 610-736-3849
E-mail: LorettaCohen@verizon.net
May 18
Benton, PA (Mill Race G.C.)
Health South Geisinger Hospital
Tony Cerminaro, PT
774 Miller Rd.
Unityville, PA 17774
Phone: 570-752-5009
E-mail: anthony.cerminaro@healthsouth.com
May 18
Elmsford, NY (Fairview G.C.)
Burke Rehab Hospital
Deirdre Otto, CTRS
785 Mamaroneck Ave.
White Plains, NY 10605
Phone: 914-597-2356
E-mail: dotto@burke.org
May 20-21
St. Cloud VAMC
Great Steps O & P Solutions, Sartel, MN
Heidi Weege
154 19th St.
Sartell, MN 56377
Phone: 320-229-1742
E-mail: tweege@greatstepsop.com
May 23
Saddlebrook, NJ (Willowbrook G.Center)
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 1
Schenectady, NY (Stadium G.C.)
Sunnyview Rehab Hospital
Connie Todt, CTRS
1270 Belmont Ave.
Schenectady, NY 12308
Phone: 518-382-4576
E-mail: todtc@nehealth.com
June 3
Braintree, MA (Braintree Municipal GC)
Bob Beach PGA
101Jefferson St.
Braintree, MA 02184
Phone: 781-843-6513
E-mail: golfshop@braintreegolf.com
June 4
First Swing Learn to Golf for Iowa Veterans (Airport National GC)
Cedar Rapids, IA
Orthotic & Prosthetic Foundation
Robin Burton
Phone: 319-235-4318
E-mail: rlb@opfund.org
June 6
Tinton Falls, NJ (Twin Brook Golf Center)
Jean Manfredi, CP
289 Broadway
Long Branch, NJ 07740
Phone: 732-222-0366
E-mail: jean.manfreidi@verizon.net
June 12
Orchard Park, NY (Bob-O-Link G. Center)
Peter Fenn PGA & Rotary Club of West Seneca
Peter Fenn, PGA
1068 Jewett Holmwood Rd.
Orchard Park, NY 14127-2870
Phone: 716-695-5335
E-mail: pete@peterfeengolf.com
June 22-23
First Swing Learn to Golf for Iowa Veterans (Copper Creek GC)
Pleasant Hills, IA
Orthotic & Prosthetic Foundation
Robin Burton
Phone: 319-235-4318
E-mail: rlb@opfund.org
August 10
Kenilworth, NJ (Galloping Hill G.C.)
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 21
Boeing Seattle, WA (Snoqualmie Ridge G. C.)
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
August 24
Wilmington, DE (First Statye Golf Center)
Independence Prosthetics-Orthotics Inc.
John Home, CPO
31 Meadowwood Dr.
Newark, DE 19711
Phone: 302-369-9476
E-mail: jhome@independencepo.com
September 5
Phoenixville, PA (Rivercrest G.C. & Preserve)
Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital
Brian Kreibel PT
414 Paoli Pike
Malvern, PA 19355
Phone: 610-420-4080
E-mail: kreibelb@mlhs.org
September 8
Hanover, PA (South Hills G.C.)
Highlander Special Needs Foundation
Bob Buck
2015 Amherst Dr.
Bethlehem, PA 18015
Phone: 610-867-9295
E-mail: rbuck18015@verizon.net
September 27
Sewell, NJ (Pittman GC)
Philadelphia VAMC (Military Veterans Only)
Bethany Purdue, RT
University & Woodland Ave, RMS 117
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Phone: 215-823-4507
E-mail: bethany.purdue@va.gov
October 4
Malvern, PA (White Manor C.C.)
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.