PGA ABLE (Abilities Beyond Life’s Expectations) is a new program launched by the PGA REACH Gateway in the Spring of 2023 to bring golf instruction to those with physical and intellectual disabilities. PGA REACH Trustee Zach Goers, and his wife, realized that while PGA REACH was bringing golf to so many new people from diverse populations, those with physical and intellectual disabilities have been overlooked. The PGA ABLE program is taught by adaptive trained certified PGA Professionals and is the first PGA program of its kind in the United States.
While the program may be in its first year, two PGA ABLE Clinics have already been conducted in partnership with the Albert Pujols Center for Adults with Down Syndrome and the Springfield (Illinois) Parks and Recreation Department, respectively. Building on the success of the first session, a second ABLE Clinic with the Albert Pujols Wellness Center for Adults with Down Syndrome started this past Monday, October 9.
In addition, Gateway PGA Professional Kevin Corn has been hosting a weekly clinic with kids at Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital in Maryland Heights, Missouri for over 10 years. Kevin is a national leader for providing golf instruction to those with physical disabilities. His dedication to the kids at Ranken Jordan is unparalleled. With plans to join Kevin’s program with PGA ABLE, PGA REACH Gateway plans to show PGA Sections across the country that PGA ABLE should be a fundamental program as it furthers the mission of PGA REACH: to positively impact the lives of youth, military, and diverse populations by enabling access to PGA Golf Professionals, Sections and the game of golf.