ParaGolfer: Help Golf Be Accessible to All

[additional-authors]

Lisa Ellen Niver

February 18, 2022

By Ben Hulin

GoFundMe: Help Golf Be Accessible to All

In 2006, I was in a no-fault motorcycle accident and the accident took away my ability to walk and to participate in sports the way I did before my accident. In the last two years, I have discovered and experienced the sport of golf, again, at TopGolf in Salt Lake City, UT from a seated position.

My dad taught me the sport of golf at a young age. Since my accident, I have not found a “normal” way to play the sport I grew up playing with my dad, brothers, family, and friends until this summer.

This summer, I was able to experience the equipment that got me back to “normal” golf. I was able to use the ParaGolfer in South Carolina. This all-terrain wheelchair helped raise me to a standing position and hit the ball. This also allowed me access to the putting surface and gave me the opportunity to play a full round of golf. The only problem is that I had to travel to South Carolina to use one. The closest ParaGolfer around Utah is in Nevada. The golfing community in the great state of Utah needs technology like this to be inclusive of everyone in the game of golf.

This equipment is beyond expensive and I appreciate any support from individuals or companies to help get myself and others in Utah back to this great sport and provide the equipment needed to be used at different golf courses. I am a Physical Education teacher at a small private school in Salt Lake City, UT. I have been able to introduce my students to different adaptive sports. This will continue to show them that you can do anything with the right equipment. This ParaGolfer will be used to progress inclusion in the state of Utah and show how others can still play the sport of golf and will be used for clinics and demonstrations for others to experience the great game of golf. Thank you in advance for your support. Thank you so much, Ben