ADAPTIVE
GOLF
Adaptive golf creates inclusive opportunities for individuals of all abilities to experience the game. Through dedicated programs and partnerships, golfers with physical, cognitive, or sensory challenges can enjoy instruction, clinics, and events tailored to their needs.
TIES
VSGA( 2)
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THANK YOU” is a powerful phrase. The words warm the heart. They show appreciation for a job well done.
After participating in five adaptive golf clinics in Northern Virginia at Burke Lake Golf Center in September and October, Jim Wilson was moved to send a thank-you email to Virginia State Golf
Association executive director Matt Smiley.
Wilson, a 73-year-old retired federal employee who lost his right leg 11 years ago, wrote,“ I would like to thank the Virginia State Golf Association for their major contribution to promote golf among individuals with disabilities … Michael Walder and Bill Campbell did a remarkable job in delivering an effective program for individuals with physical or mental challenges to make significant progress in learning the wonderful game of golf.”
The Burke Lake clinics and play days were one of three sites for the VSGA’ s first-year foray into the adaptive golf program. Walder is the senior director of member and club services for the VSGA and has been a staff member there for 19 years. Campbell was the program’ s coordinator.
“ Jim was a great participant … His thank-you note meant the world to me,” Campbell said.“ The goal for these clinics and gatherings was that our participants would experience a high level of hospitality, excellent instruction, and personable care while with us. I believe we did a great job with that. Jim’ s response gives me hope that we can continue to make that part of our DNA [ in the future ].”
Wilson noted the Burke Lake clinics were well attended by participants of all ages and had a wide and had a wide variety of disabilities represented.
“ It was inspiring to watch some of the amputees and kids with Down syndrome making significant progress over the course of the five-week program,” Wilson said.
A game for everyone
Adaptive golf is the latest initiative that fulfills the VSGA’ s stated purpose of promoting and serving golf in Virginia by offering benefits and playing opportunities to all golfers and providing services to golf clubs across the Commonwealth.
The VSGA website says it best:“ Adaptive golf creates inclusive opportunities for individuals of all abilities to experience the game. Through dedicated programs and partnerships, golfers with physical, cognitive, or sensory challenges can enjoy instruction, clinics, and events tailored to their needs.”
The timeline for the VSGA’ s involvement in an adaptive golf program began in 2023 when Walder, while at the U. S. Adaptive Open golf tournament in Pinehurst, N. C., attended a USGA workshop for golf associations that might be interested in the program.
vsga. org S EPTEMBER M ARCH / O CTOBER / A PRIL 2026 2025 | V IRGINIA G OLFER 19