Adaptive golf is both my passion and profession. As a competitive player and the executive director of the United States Adaptive Golf Alliance (USAGA), it has brought me great joy to see the strides the adaptive golf movement has made in recent years. This is due in large part to an array of strong partners, including the CDGA.
This has not always been the case, however.
In 2015, the USAGA started with just six founding member organizations. Today, USAGA membership is comprised of 52 organizations that all give back by way of Adaptive Coach Trainings, Adaptive Golf Programs and Adaptive Golf Competitions, helping nearly 50,000 individuals with disabilities find the joy in golf each year. All member organizations focus on the USAGA’s teach, play and compete methodology, created for the inclusion and introduction of individuals with disabilities to the joys of the game of golf. The goal and mission is to provide as many opportunities as possible through our members.
Adaptive golf is not new. The United States Blind Golf Association (USBGA) is celebrating its 79th championship and the National Amputee Golf Association (NAGA) is conducting its 76th championship in 2025. Additionally, the CDGA’s therapeutic programs for veterans began during World War II.
With that being said, the growth in the adaptive golf space has been exponential in recent years. From six organizations to 52 in a decade? What is leading to all the growth in such a short time? The answer: programs and competitions!
Programs: In 2017, the Freedom Golf Association (FGA) was helping around 750 individuals each year. In just two years, that number expanded to 9,488 free lessons in 2019. Additionally, the FGA hosted coach trainings to grow the team of coaches to more than 100. Although the FGA merged into the USAGA in 2020, these programs live on in the Chicago market due to the support of the CDGA.
Competitions: In 2019, only six adaptive championships took place nationwide. These included the USAGA Para Golf Championship, the U.S. Disabled Golf Association (USDGA) Championship and the inaugural Georgia Adaptive Open. Today, we have more than 40 Championships hosted by our members on our annual schedule across the country for adaptive golfers to choose from.
Notably, one of the events created during this timeframe was the U.S. Adaptive Open. Born out of a collaboration between the USGA and USAGA, the championship debuted in 2021 at Pinehurst. The event was top-notch and the notoriety gained from a national championship seemed to open the floodgates of inquiries from adaptive golfers and organizations wanting to get involved with adaptive golf. The USAGA and its members were there to field questions and to organize.
Many Allied Golf Associations began to join the USAGA, including the CDGA, and have helped fuel the adaptive golf movement that we currently see today. Their ability to structure coach trainings, manage coaches and provide programming and golf resources within their state or region allows golfers of all abilities to get involved.
This led to the creation of more championships, including the Inaugural Chicago Adaptive Open in 2024. A collaboration between the USAGA and CDGA, the Chicago Adaptive Open was the first event with a purse in adaptive golf history. We are very excited for the 2nd Chicago Adaptive Open this month, June 21-22 at Fox Bend Golf Course in Oswego. The CDGA has set yet another milestone, doubling last year’s purse to $30,000 this year. This aspect is very well received from adaptive golfers that often must limit their playing schedules due to finances.
We are so very blessed with our current member organizations and will continue to assist in any way possible to help them lead the adaptive golf charge. Should you wish to support adaptive golfers within your community, you can learn more about the USAGA at USAGA.org.