FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 20, 2004
Contact: Julie Besaha
(202) 223-2878
OPAF HOSTS “FIRST SWING” ADAPTIVE GOLF CLINIC IN HOLLYWOOD
Every golfer knows about the unique, friendly atmosphere found on the golf course and the sense of personal achievement that comes from the game. Did you know that First Swing Program of the National Amputee Golf Association (NAGA) brings adaptive golf techniques to all people with physical disabilities so they too can enjoy this timeless sport?
The Orthotic and Prosthetic Assistance Fund, Inc. (OPAF) is proud to cooperate with NAGA in the announcement that, Monday, September 20, 2004, OPAF will bring a First Swing clinic to the greater Ft. Lauderdale area. The clinic will be held on the driving range at Bonaventure Country Club (www.golfbonaventure.com) in Weston.
The first half of the clinic demonstrates the basics of the game of golf to O&P practitioners and physical/recreational therapists, as well as others who are interested in teaching golf to individuals with physical disabilities. Practitioner participants are invited to swing a club – standing on one leg, sitting in a wheel chair or from a single rider golf car, or using only one hand – to appreciate more completely the new demands that will be made upon their educational training as they teach others.
The second half of the clinic is devoted to the newly-instructed practitioners and therapists instructing participants with physical disabilities under the guidance of the NAGA instructors.
The First Swing clinic is FREE and all are welcome. This opportunity is made possible through grants received by NAGA from the PGA Foundation and the Disabled American Veterans Charitable Service Trust, as well as through support received by OPAF from Össur North America. Additionally, use of the driving range has been generously donated by Bonaventure Country Club.
Practitioner/therapist and golf professional participants will be eligible for CEU credits.
For more information or to register for the First Swing clinic, contact Julie Besaha at 202-223-2878, via eFax at 415-534-1857 or via email at jab@opfund.org.
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NAGA (www.nagagolf.org) is a 501(c)(3) public charity that began its mission of providing rehabilitation through the sport of golf to amputees in 1954. As access to the game became more available, and recognizing the need to provide instruction to enable golf to be used as therapy to those with any physical disability, the First Swing program began in 1987. Since then, thousands of therapists and a like number of individuals with physical disabilities have learned that to play the game, all one has to do is “hit the ball.”
OPAF (www.opfund.org) is a 501(c)(3) public charity, the official philanthropy of the U.S. orthotics and prosthetics community. As a community-focused nonprofit organization, OPAF aims primarily to enable individuals with physical disabilities-especially those served by members of the orthotics and prosthetics community-to enjoy the rewards of personal achievement, physical fitness, and social interaction.
OPAF’s cooperation with NAGA in this announcement is an extension of OPAF’s longstanding partnership with NAGA through the OPAF Fit for Life Program.
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