United States Adaptive Golf Alliance (USAGA) announces the formation of the Women’s Adaptive Golf Committee driving increased inclusion of women with disabilities in the fabric of society through the game of golf.
According to the Center on Disease Control (CDC), sixty-one (61) million or 26% of adults in the United States (1 in 4) have some form of disability. According to the same statistics, about 36 million women in the U.S. have disabilities (1 in 4) – “and the number is growing”.
There is a proven need to include women with disabilities in the game of golf, giving them an opportunity to be included as opposed to be excluded.
KEY INITIATIVES
Centralized communication for women among USAGA members and the adaptive golf community
Building and strengthening golf networks among women with disabilities
Partnering with health care communities to educate girls and women on how golf can be used as a rehabilitative intervention
Support education efforts to expand instructors’ knowledge of teaching golf to women who have a disability
Drive the importance of intentionally marketing golf to women who have a disability
Maximize the influence of the WPGA through synergistic relationships with leaders across industries
The WPGC is presently comprised of 14 women, 12 of which have a disability. Several on the Committee are excellent golfers who have worked hard to achieve recognition or world ranking among the adaptive and para-golf community. They meet routinely to develop goals, refine strategies, and implement plans to advance their mission of improving inclusion in golf by creating awareness among women who have a disability, increasing opportunities for play and competition, and advocating for employment within the golf industry.
LEADERSHIP
Dana Dempsey M.S, CTRS - CHAIR
Since 1986 Dana has been serving as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) helping those with a disability or chronic medical condition that has made involvement in recreation and leisure difficult. In 1997 she began working at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children and developed their Learn to Golf program in 1998 that creates opportunities for their patients to become active in golf. Since its creation the LTG program has served over 1,500 patients. She also serves with TR and golf related organizations to promote inclusion.
Nancy Towers- Co- Chair
In 2015 I was diagnosed with a very rare cancer in my left leg after having limited mobility for 24 years due to lymphedema in that leg.
I had always been very athletic in my teens and 20's yet the lymphedema had stopped me from all of that.
The only way to stop the cancer was amputation. I hoped to be back on my feet and possibly more mobile quickly. I never thought I might be able to return to sports. My physical therapist suggested I look into returning to playing golf. I got out to the driving range and tried it and found I could do it, and surprisingly, pretty well.
I joined a league and entered the 2019 Midwest Amputee Golf Tournament and played my best rounds ever to win the Women’s division.
I hope that the USAGA Women’s Para- Golf Committee will help other women with limb differences realize their potential and that they too can get back in the game whether it's the golf course or any other sport they love.
Sarah Larson - Co Chair
Bio coming soon
Michala Snyder- Co- Chair
Bio Coming Soon
Kathy Erickson
Kathleen “Kathy” Erickson is a retired award-winning photographer and graphic design artist, who has the heart of a serial entrepreneur, and is constantly seeking ways to solve problems. Throughout her retail and service management career, she took small businesses from thousands of net profits to multi $millions with her operational, logistic, and leadership skills. Her passion for playing golf began as she dated a man who later became her husband for 34-1/2 years; “You have to play golf to be an Erickson,” Michael would say.
In Feb of 2018, Kathy’s husband Michael had a major heart attack and died. It was around that time that Kathy’s neuro-muscular disease was raging. Kathy will eventually loose use of her legs and arms, but her will and brain are not diminished. By the end of 2018, Kathy decided to pursue her vision full time and quit the job she loved at the Frisco Chamber to create The Short Game Place®, an indoor, patent pending Par 2 golf course with 9 or 18-holes of real short game golf…not putt-putt or anything simulated…real golf. Kathy’s faith and passion has helped her grow resources and a community of individuals who share her passion. She has added accessibility to her vision…helping others with physical and mental limits reach goals beyond their imagining.
Cindy Lawrence
[bio coming soon]
"ONE OF THE INDUSTRY LEADERS, THE PGA OF AMERICA, IS A SUPPORTER OF THE USAGA AND RECOGNIZES THE IMPORTANT IMPACT THE WPGC CAN HAVE ON THE FUTURE OF GOLF. WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN US AS WELL.”
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED
DANA DEMPSEY, M.S., CTRS
CHAIR