Adaptive Golf Clinic instructor Jimmy Moceri works with adaptive athlete and golfer Allison Thurman during the McLaren Adaptive Golf Clinic held at Warwick Hills’ driving range and putting green on Monday.
GRAND BLANC TWP. — Adapt.
Frequently those who adapt during life’s most challenging moments end up being the most successful.
If that’s the case, then the group of 50 adaptive golfers that were challenging their athletic skills at the McLaren Healthcare and U.S. Adaptive Golf Alliance (USAGA) Adaptive Golf Clinic at Warwick Hills are among the most successful in society.
During the early morning hours at Warwick Hills golf course’s driving range and putting greens, the USAGA put on a clinic for about 50 adaptive golfers using a variety of adaptive golf equipment, giving those athletes the chance to experience the game. Helping out the athletes were trained adaptive golf coaches. It was one of the first events that took place last week during the PGA Champions Tour’s The Ally Challenge presented by McLaren.
The golfers ranged from all ages and physical abilities. Some were able to stand by themselves, while others used equipment to help them stand if they desired. In all cases, each found that in their own particular way can still enjoy golf.
Adaptive athletes hit golf balls on the driving range during Monday’s McLaren Adaptive Golf Clinic held at Warwick Hills’ driving range and putting green on Monday.
“It’s good getting with people and getting out and hitting some golf balls,” Clarkston’s Matt Hare, 63, said. “It’s been awhile, so I’m tempted to take it further and take it to the golf course. I haven’t done that yet, but I’m out here working with these guys and this (playing golf) always feels good.”
Hare played golf when he was younger, but suffered a motorcycle accident in 1986, resulting in spinal cord injuries.
“I got away with it about 30 years until I hit my 50s and I started having issues with my lower back. … I still have some lower strength, but not like I used to. I can’t stand and hit a golf ball, but you never know. It’s just good getting out, being active and doing things. Getting out of my chair and using my upper body. There’s nothing wrong with that.”
Clarkston High School student Allison Thurman, 16, has cerebral palsy but hasn’t allowed her condition keep her from being an athlete. She also competes in adaptive track and field competitions for her high school. This was her third year at the clinic.
“(My first year) I was really bad. I would just whiff it,” Thurman said. “I still whiff it, but I kind of get into the swing of things and hit it well.
“This means a lot. To see other people like this with other disabilities is really great.”
Thurman recently hit the ceremonial first drive at a golf tournament and had access to a cart she used to stand for four days. Her father, Mike Thurman, said she used it every day. The practice helped her hit a clean crisp shot down the fairway.
“It was amazing. I loved it,” Thurman said about using the card. “I just enjoy being able to hit the ball, stand up and just swing. (When I see the ball fly) it’s so amazing. It feels so smooth.”
Thurman’s instructor and the No. 1 G9 adaptive golfer in the world, Jimmy Moceri, was a participant last year. Now he’s a teacher.
“It’s incredible,” Moceri said about being an instructor. “Anything with golf I am in. I love golf. I’ll teach all day. I’ll play all day. I’ll putt all day. I’ll chip all day. I just love being around the sport.”
Moceri, 36, competes in adaptive tournaments and can hit the ball 210 yards. He had a spinal cord injury during a car accident when he was 16.
“I loved golf before. It took me about 12 years to find this unit, to be able to use this unit and get back into golf again,” Moceri said. “I wish I found it earlier, but it’s been great adjusting and being out playing with my Dad. And now I’m competing at the national level. It’s been great.”
A first-timer to the event was Davison’s Corey Konieczka. His family came to watch him work on his skills at the clinic. His instructor was USAGA Executive Director Jonathan Snyder.
“Mom made him do it,” Corey’s mom Robin Konieczka said. “He had a great coach. Coach Jonathan was his coach and he taught Corey the fundamentals. He plans on doing it again.”
