FGA News
The Dennis Walters Golf Show
World renowned trick shot artist and paraplegic golfer Dennis Walters is an inspiration to all. During nearly 100 Dennis Walters Golf Shows throughout 2016, he will help communicate the mission and values of for all chapter Adaptive Golf Organizations of the United States Adaptive Golf Alliance. Learn more at www.denniswalters.com.
Dennis Walters is a true friend of FGA and presented the organization with the Courage Award in 2015. This is an award from the International Network of Golf which recognizes an individual who has overcome great odds to contribute to the game of golf. |
FGA Trains Nine New Adaptive Golf Coaches

With clinic numbers increasing in 2016, Freedom Golf Association, along with PGA/LPGA Master Pro Judy Alvarez, trained nine new adaptive golf coaches on March 11th and 12th at the CDGA Golf House and McQ’s Golf Dome. Alvarez, rated a Top 50 Women’s Teacher in the U.S. by Golf Digest Magazine, led the adaptive coaches through a comprehensive workshop on working with individuals with special needs. She covered a broad range of subjects, from swing fundamentals to ball flight laws to working with disabled veterans and individuals with cognitive and physical disabilities. Coaches were able to implement these lessons following the workshop in a simulated setting, with other coaches acting as individuals who were visually impaired, deaf or physical disabled. FGA participants with special needs then arrived for a hands on session, and coaches were able to partake in a live FGA clinic. FGA welcomes all new coaches to FGA and we look forward to their participation as we continue on our path to helping 1,500 individuals with special needs in 2016.
ATI Foundation Presents FGA With $5,000 Donation

On February 19th, 2016, the ATI Foundation presented a $5,000 check to the Freedom Golf Association. Approximately 40% of the FGA's efforts include children with physical impairments, which is a natural tie to the ATI Foundation's mission.
FGA Founder and Chairman E.Q. Sylvester stated, "We are so appreciative of ATI's efforts to help advance the mission of the Freedom Golf Association. We look forward to collaborating on a national level in the future to leverage FGA's and ATI's growing network."
FGA Founder and Chairman E.Q. Sylvester stated, "We are so appreciative of ATI's efforts to help advance the mission of the Freedom Golf Association. We look forward to collaborating on a national level in the future to leverage FGA's and ATI's growing network."
Winter 2016: Golf Operations Update

2016 Highlights:
FGA hosted more clinics and events than ever before.
There were 906 participants at clinics/events combining for 1,714 hours of instruction.
There was a 77.75% repeat rate among participants (They like what we do).
FGA is continually new friends and earning respect within the Chicago Special Needs and Golf community. From our successful FGA Invitational in March to the Champions Tour Encompass Championship junior golf clinic in July, to another successful FGA Golf Outing in September…FGA accomplishments were wide-ranging and placed countless smiles onto the faces of our special needs participants. 2016 proved to be the year of can-do and we got it done thanks to our coaches, staff, volunteers and donors that make it happen.
As FGA embarks on its most ambitious year yet, Golf Operations has set a course to expand the number of clinics and events held, the number of participants we assist, the number of coaches teaching our deserving participants, and increasing the number of individuals with special needs playing golf.
As 2017 is revving up, we need your support. Please spread the word to your circle of family, friends, and co-workers about FGA and its activities. A small non-profit like FGA needs your engagement and shout outs in order to grow. Remember the three legs: Participants, Volunteers, and Donors. You can make a positive impact on all three of these vital pieces.
Additionally, I encourage you to come out to any clinic or event to see first-hand the work FGA is doing. It will warm your heart to see our participants in action and see the interactive fun we have with them. Who knows, you might even catch the bug and decide to join us as an FGA Adaptive Golf Coach. It is pretty contagious.
Our 2076 goal is to serve 1,500 participants and get 200 special needs participants onto the golf course. As stated, it’s an ambitious year and there’s no time to waste. We are grateful for your support in any way possible.
FGA hosted more clinics and events than ever before.
There were 906 participants at clinics/events combining for 1,714 hours of instruction.
There was a 77.75% repeat rate among participants (They like what we do).
FGA is continually new friends and earning respect within the Chicago Special Needs and Golf community. From our successful FGA Invitational in March to the Champions Tour Encompass Championship junior golf clinic in July, to another successful FGA Golf Outing in September…FGA accomplishments were wide-ranging and placed countless smiles onto the faces of our special needs participants. 2016 proved to be the year of can-do and we got it done thanks to our coaches, staff, volunteers and donors that make it happen.
As FGA embarks on its most ambitious year yet, Golf Operations has set a course to expand the number of clinics and events held, the number of participants we assist, the number of coaches teaching our deserving participants, and increasing the number of individuals with special needs playing golf.
As 2017 is revving up, we need your support. Please spread the word to your circle of family, friends, and co-workers about FGA and its activities. A small non-profit like FGA needs your engagement and shout outs in order to grow. Remember the three legs: Participants, Volunteers, and Donors. You can make a positive impact on all three of these vital pieces.
Additionally, I encourage you to come out to any clinic or event to see first-hand the work FGA is doing. It will warm your heart to see our participants in action and see the interactive fun we have with them. Who knows, you might even catch the bug and decide to join us as an FGA Adaptive Golf Coach. It is pretty contagious.
Our 2076 goal is to serve 1,500 participants and get 200 special needs participants onto the golf course. As stated, it’s an ambitious year and there’s no time to waste. We are grateful for your support in any way possible.