Hitting the greens
Fundraiser lets special-needs adults take swing at learning golf
Dozens of special-needs adults took a swing at learning golf skills Monday, during the Texarkana Children Charities Open at the Adam Pro Tour Golf Tournament benefit for the Running WJ Ranch.
During a one-day clinic at the Northridge Country Club, these eager golf enthusiasts took to the greens with their clubs as Professional Golfers’ Association Director of Instruction Mike Abraham taught them the fundamentals of golf club holding and swinging. It didn’t take long for this group to start acquiring both long drive as well as measured putting skills. “We want to have lots of fun as well as be safe,” Abraham said as he stressed the need for golfers to be sure that they are safely away from other golfers as they attempt long drive swings.
Shortly after showing the group how to wrap and connect their fingers around the club handles, these future pros started sending long drives across the greens.
“It’s always great to get involved in exposing people to the game of golf,” Abraham said. “I look forward to doing more of this.”
Appropriate golf clubs were also distributed to both left-handed and right-handed group members attending the clinic.
Brandon Johnson, president of the Richardson, Texas-based Avail Sports Marketing firm said he brought some of his instructors to the clinic just for the occasion.
“We opened up about four months ago and we’re here to be at the clinic,” he said. “Our firm basically builds digital resumes for customers.”
Funds raised at the tournament will go to help finance the ranch, where these special-needs adults enjoy horseback riding and learning life skills.
Mark R. Van Herpen, Texarkana Chamber of Commerce treasurer, said about 135 professional golfers are attending this six-day event—which ends Saturday and is being played at both Northridge and the Texarkana Country Club.
Jack Grygoist, a Pleasant Grove High School freshman, said he came out to the clinic to help supply participants with a steady flow of golf balls as they spent early Monday evening sending the balls into flight.
“This is my first time to volunteer, but I’m interested in playing golf,” Jack said.
Abraham agreed that golf is very engaging for all people.
“This fundraiser gives us a great memories—the kind we will carry with us for the rest of our lives,”he said.