Shriners Children’s Open Hosts Adaptive Golf Event with Golf Pros Tomorrow Afternoon

As part of this year’s Shriners Children’s Open, the nonprofit healthcare system will be hosting an adaptive golf event on Friday, October 13 from 2 -3 p.m. at TPC Summerlin driving range in Las Vegas. The clinic is put on by the U.S. Adaptive Golf Alliance and gives Shriners Children's patients the opportunity to learn to play golf alongside professional players who have similar differences.

Nearly two dozen Shriners Children’s patients from throughout the country, Canada and Mexico, with varying physical differences, will have the opportunity to learn how to play golf or improve upon their current skills. Adaptive golf allows people with disabilities to play the game with modified rules and specialized equipment, based on the person’s abilities.

“Our adaptive golf clinic is such a fun opportunity for the world to see what our patients can achieve despite their physical differences,” said Shriners Children’s Chief Communications and Marketing Officer Mel Bower. “We have some patient ambassadors participating at this event who are some pretty incredible athletes in their own right including a few who play competitive golf on their school teams and it’s inspiring for us to watch them succeed. The clinic is also really indicative of our overall mission at Shriners Children’s, which is to improve the lives of children regardless of a family’s ability to pay or their insurance status. Our goal is to help them achieve any goal they set for themselves in life.”

Shriners Children’s patients like 14-year-old Gavin, who is affectionately known as ‘Governor Gav’ plans to hone his golf skills at this event and get advice from professional golfers. Gavin is an avid athlete who enjoys playing basketball, riding his bike, playing golf and meeting new people. In 2009, Gavin became critically ill with meningococcal meningitis. He was taken to Shriners Children’s Ohio for specialized wound and skin care and underwent several complex surgeries, including amputation of his right foot. Since then, he has continued going to Shriners Children’s for support with specialized prosthetics and orthopedics that allow him to do the activities he loves.

“Shriners Children’s has been an instrumental part of my life for a long time now,” said Gavin. “Not only have they helped me overcome my physical challenges and do the sports I love, but they’ve helped me to not be afraid of having big dreams like going into politics someday. Opportunities like this allow me to be around other kids who have experienced similar challenges as myself and it’s a great feeling to be surrounded by people who care about seeing you succeed.”

The Shriners Children’s Open is being held October 9 through 15 at TPC Summerlin in Las Vegas. If you are interested in attending the adaptive golf event, please contact Jessica Williams at jwilliams@bammarketingagency.com or text 618-772-2349.