Every Golfer Deserves a Fair Swing: The Arizona Adaptive Open Championship
Title: Celebrating Golfing Skills at the Arizona Adaptive Open
In defiance of the unpredictable weather, nearly 60 golfers showcased their skills at the debut of the Arizona Adaptive Open Championship, hosted at Papago Golf Course. Organized by the Arizona Golf Association (AZ GOLF) and sponsored by PING, this groundbreaking event marked a significant milestone for adaptive golf. Under the astute guidance of Executive Director Catharine (Cat) Carmignani, AZ GOLF became the first western association to conduct an adaptive golf championship.
The three-day affair commenced with a golf clinic for local golfers with disabilities, followed by a two-round, 36-hole championship. The event crowned overall male and female champions and category winners across 15 adaptive golf categories.
Adaptive golf, as the name suggests, involves adapting rules and equipment to accommodate golfers with disabilities, depending on their impairment. Classifications include limb, neurological, multiple, seated, short stature, vision, and intellectual impairments, ranging from G1 to G15. This classification system levels the playing field, enabling golfers to compete against their peers.
Planning the tournament required AZ GOLF's full commitment, with staff traveling across the nation to glean insights from various adaptive events. In Cat Carmignani's words, "We utilized resources already in place and adopted best practices to ensure a fair and inclusive tournament."
A Celebration of Unity and Competition
One of the tournament's most striking features was the impressive diversity of participants across age, gender, impairment, skill level, and experience. This event encapsulated the spirit of adaptive golf - camaraderie and friendship, along with a healthy competitive drive.
For instance, short stature golfer Ricky Reilly, aged 23, enthusiastically cheered on his rival Albert Bowker from his hillside perch. The duo had met at the 2024 USGA Adaptive Open and remained the sole competitors in their category in Phoenix.
"I'm super pumped for him," said Ricky, acknowledging the friendship that had blossomed between them. "Albert's a great guy, and even a better golfer."
The tight-knit adaptive golf community rejoiced in each other's successes, underscoring the notion that their impairments did not define them. They competed to win, relishing the opportunity to earn hardware at the championship's end.
Ford Martin, the Men's Overall champion, praised the supportive atmosphere: "Everybody's just so nice to each other, so encouraging, and the people out here are inspiring for sure. That's part of the fun of doing these events."
His impressive one-under score, with a seven-stroke lead over Kody Conover, claimed his first tournament win and marked his fourth adaptive tournament victory. Diagnosed with neurogenic club feet restricting his foot and ankle movement, Ford focused on maintaining tempo and finish to overcome balance challenges.
Women's Overall champion Cassie Sengul, hailing from Drew University, competed in the G8 category due to cerebral palsy. Her 10-stroke lead over University of Arizona's Amanda Cunha in the category was her second victory in quick succession, having triumphed at the Golf Association of Philadelphia's (GAP) inaugural Adaptive Open.
True to form, Sengul fought her battles around rotation, balance, and maintaining a steady stance. Dedicated to perfecting her swing, the two-time champion quipped, "I'm probably doing things I shouldn't, but it works."
The star-studded Arizona Adaptive Open Championship saw many elite golfers who had previously competed in one or more USGA Adaptive Opens, regarded as the Major championship for disabled golfers.
Amanda Cunha, a vision-impaired golfer and the four-time winner in the Vision Impairment category at USGA Adaptive Opens, showcased her skills in the event. Diagnosed with Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy at a young age, she overcame visual impairment barriers and pursued her love for golf by leveraging the University of Arizona's Adaptive Golf program.
Overcoming Unique Challenges
Mounting a first-time adaptive golf championship presented distinct challenges that typically do not confront regular golf tournaments.
As Cat Carmignani pointed out, "We identify suitable partners and venues that can offer a tailored experience to cater to the diverse needs of adaptive golfers. Papago Golf Course excelled in this regard, offering an idyllic backdrop that golfers of all abilities adored."
Course setups were intricate, requiring careful placement of tees according to each impairment category, setting yardages, and adapting rules specific to each individual's disability. For instance, considering the safety of solo riders on motorized carts, certain bunkers might become inaccessible and deem them out-of-play.
A triumph of Partnerships, Passion, and Perseverance
Partnerships played a pivotal role in launching the inaugural Arizona Adaptive Open Championship, with Papago Golf Course serving as the perfect venue partner. The course's commitment to serving the community and promoting diversity made it the ideal choice for the event.
PING, the tournament's official sponsor, provided master adaptive fitter Bryan Rourke to offer conforming equipment and custom club fittings for the golfers. Via Phoenix-based Ability 360, seated golfers had access to custom carts required for their participation. Over 80 volunteers who underwent comprehensive training dedicated their time and expertise to ensure the event's success.
In an inspiring display of camaraderie, adaptive golf thrived by celebrating each participant's unique abilities and sharing in their successes. This tournament underscored the motto that every golfer deserves a fair swing, providing opportunities to showcase skills and forge unbreakable bonds.
Enrichment Data:
The US Adaptive Golf Alliance reports that 10% of people with disabilities currently play golf, 22% played golf before incurring a disability but no longer do, and 35% are interested but not yet participating. Ford Martin, the Men's Overall champion, encourages potential adaptive golfers to have faith in their abilities and attempt the sport, emphasizing the warm, supportive atmosphere that allows for mistakes and growth. The key best practices for inclusive adaptive golf championships focus on accessibility, training for coaches, community engagement, communication and outreach, equipment assistance, inclusive pathways, collaboration, and legacy programs. By implementing these best practices, organizations can ensure a positive and engaging experience for participants with disabilities, fostering a sense of belonging and further promoting the growth of adaptive golf.
- The Arizona Adaptive Open Championship, hosted at Papago Golf Course and organized by the Arizona Golf Association (AZ GOLF) and sponsored by PING, marked a significant milestone for adaptive golf, particularly in the disabled golf category.
- The Adaptive Golf Alliance, an essential partner in this event, ensured that the tournament adhered to best practices for inclusive adaptive golf championships, focusing on accessibility, equipment assistance, and community engagement.
- Sarah Schmelzel, a prominent figure in the adaptive golf world, participated in the event, showcasing her skills and further underscoring the importance of events like the Arizona Adaptive Open Championship.
- The LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association) recognized the event, with several of their elite golfers participating and gaining experience in adaptive golf, such as Amanda Cunha, a four-time winner in the Vision Impairment category at USGA Adaptive Opens.
- The adaptive golf community celebrated the success of the Arizona Adaptive Open Championship, citing it as a triumph of partnerships, passion, and perseverance in promoting adaptive golf and providing opportunities for golfers with disabilities.
