Myrtle Beach, August 11, 2025
News Summary
The Carolina Adaptive Golf Clinic in Myrtle Beach recently hosted its fourth annual event, enabling wheelchair-bound children to discover the joys of golf. With support from passionate volunteers and innovative equipment like standing wheelchairs, the clinic fosters inclusivity, showing that golf can be a sport for everyone. The event emphasizes the importance of adaptive sports and community, making golf accessible to children and veterans alike. Participants experienced the thrill of golf while forming lasting friendships and enhancing their quality of life.
Inclusive Golf Clinic Brings Joy to Wheelchair-Bound Youngsters in Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach, known for its stunning coastline and vibrant community, recently hosted an inspiring event that brought smiles and swing to the young participants at the Carolina Adaptive Golf Clinic. Held at TPC Myrtle Beach, this four-day event, now in its fourth year, welcomed children with disabilities from far and wide, showcasing the power of golf as an inclusive sport.
Welcoming Atmosphere for All
Brandon Worley, the energetic Executive Director of Carolina Adaptive Golf, stood ready to greet local and out-of-town youngsters at the clinic on August 7. His commitment to adaptive sports stems from a blend of passion and research that started during his graduate studies. Today, he runs this enthusiastic organization full-time, fueled by love for helping children and young adults experience the joys of golf, regardless of their challenges.
Among the participants was a spirited middle-schooler from Michigan named Matthew Ward. Matthew, who navigates life from a wheelchair due to spina bifida, eagerly joined in with the clinic’s activities as he spends time with his grandparents along the beautiful Grand Strand. His supportive grandmother, Linda Knaus, ensures that summer days are filled with engaging sports and activities.
Spreading the Joy of Golf
The Carolina Adaptive Golf program is not limited to Myrtle Beach. It extends its reach with remote clinics throughout South Carolina and in nearby Charlotte. Additionally, the organization holds nearly weekly sessions in Greenville, ensuring that children of all abilities can participate. Each year, a special fundraiser and clinic takes place on President’s Day, helping to sustain their mission of inclusivity and accessibility in sports.
Supported by a dedicated team, including three part-time staff and about 150 volunteers, this initiative has touched the lives of over 2,000 individuals with unique abilities in the past year. The organization helps veterans, children, and adults with various disabilities, aiming to improve their quality of life and enhance adaptive golf awareness.
Making Golf Accessible
A highlight of the clinic is the standing wheelchairs available for wheelchair-bound golfers. These innovative devices allow participants to stand with support while swinging a club, making it easier to connect with the game they love. Both Matthew and another participant, Duncan Collins, who has previous golf experience, eagerly hit golf balls under the guidance of Brandon and skilled volunteers, including a PGA member.
This effort goes beyond just sports; it’s about championing equal opportunities and making golf accessible to everyone. Since 2020, public golf courses are required to offer standing wheelchairs, though many have yet to comply due to financial constraints. Brandon is hopeful that upcoming fundraising efforts will facilitate better access to adaptive golf therapies for those in need.
Empowering Veterans
Golf is also a fantastic avenue for veterans to bond and share experiences. The July 2025 PGA HOPE Day celebrated the spirit of camaraderie among veterans throughout South Carolina. The event featured the Patriots Outpost at the OneFlight Myrtle Beach Classic, allowing veterans to connect while soaking in stunning views of Hole 10.
Initiatives like Project Golf and PGA HOPE emphasize providing adaptive golf programs tailored for veterans, youth, and beginners alike. These programs aim to help participants overcome challenges, foster relationships, and promote inclusion through the shared love of golf. Since launching in 2019, around 500 veterans have successfully graduated from the PGA HOPE program, spearheaded by Project Golf.
Future plans include expanding the PGA HOPE to cater to more veterans while offering continuous support via an ambassador program and monthly tournaments after graduation. The overarching goal is to enhance the mental well-being of veterans, encouraging friendship, and fostering a sense of belonging through the sport.
Conclusion
The Carolina Adaptive Golf Clinic serves as a reminder of the magic of inclusivity and the joy that sports can bring to every individual, no matter their circumstances. From young children to veterans, the impact of programs like this reaches far and wide, helping build a community united through the game of golf.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Additional Resources
- My Horry News: Adaptive Golf Nonprofit Puts Kids with Disabilities on Course
- On The Green Magazine: Rocky Bleier’s Story and PGA HOPE
- WRDW: Everyone is Welcome in South Carolina, Even with Disabilities
- Google Search: adaptive golf
- Global Golf Post: Adaptive Golfer Follows His Heart into Game
- Encyclopedia Britannica: adaptive sports
Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
