Players with handicaps treat each other with an unusual amount of respect because we know what it takes to do what we do.
Judi
BRUSH
Players with handicaps treat each other with an unusual amount of respect because we know what it takes to do what we do.
Judi Brush is a true pioneer of adaptive golf. She had an amputation below her left knee in 2006, and when she returned in 2007, she played in amputee tournaments. She played in the first U. S. Adaptive Open and was the eldest player at 80 years old. Brush has been the only woman in a field many times.
“ I never knew another female amputee golfer in the Washington area until one participated in the VSGA clinics at Burke Lake,” said Brush, a member of Belle Haven Country Club in Alexandria.“ Eventually, golf evolved from just amputees to many different categories of disabilities. The individuals I’ ve met have enriched my life beyond my wildest dreams. Learning about the challenges each category meets and how to work around them has made me a better person.
“ Players with handicaps treat each other with an unusual amount of respect because we know what it takes to do what we do.”
The inaugural USAGA Women’ s Adaptive Clinic & Championship will be played in April in Mesa, Ariz. This event combines instruction and competition for new and experienced players.
“ As women golfers, Gracie Braxton and [ I ] have done our best to crack the wall of resistance to accommodate those who need just a little help, and we know players like our own Cassie Sengul will knock down that wall. Adaptive golf’ s future is bright, and I will play as long as I can,” said Brush, who’ s now 84.“ Occasionally, I still get the‘ Oh my God, I have to play with an old lady and she only has the one leg’ look …
I’ m a little envious of all the current opportunities, but I’ m also proud of the tiny part I’ ve played in bringing them about.”
WHAT’ S AHEAD IN 2026 from MICHAEL WALDER,
VSGA senior director, member and club services
Resource center FOR adaptive golf activities
Whether it is the Rules of Golf, the World Handicap System, or looking up all the competitions we make available to players, many look to the VSGA for information.
The VSGA is creating an adaptive golf page on its website so players can go in and see where adaptable clinic opportunities are; whether they are run by the VSGA or others; where specialized equipment can be found; and other pertinent information. If players want to play competitively, the website will include a listing of those available tournaments in Virginia and across the nation.
Grants program
The VSGA knows it is unable to get everywhere adaptive players are playing the game. There are adaptive players in every community, so for organizations and clubs that are running their own clinics or adaptive programming, the VSGA is launching a grants program to assist with funding.
24 V IRGINIA G OLFER | M ARCH / A PRIL 2026 vsga. org