Adaptive: The quality of being able to change to suit different conditions.

The SCGA creates windows, not walls, and in 2024 the Association will further that goal with a dive into adaptive golf.

In April, the SCGA will serve as one of six Allied Golf Associations hosting the debut of national qualifying for the USGA’s U.S. Adaptive Open; the third-annual Open takes place this July 8-10, 2024, at Sand Creek Station GC (Newton, KS) and the SCGA’s qualifier will be held at Goose Creek GC (Jurupa Valley) on April 29.

“As interest in the U.S. Adaptive Open continues to grow, it was important for the USGA to develop a qualifying model similar to their other national championships,” Jeff Ninnemann, chief operating officer of the SCGA, said of the new qualifying event. “We are truly enthused to be chosen as one of six key partners in this initiative.”

In early 2025, the SCGA will host its first-ever Adaptive Championship with a venue and date to be announced soon. Equally enthusiastic for the SCGA’s debut Adaptive Championship was Callaway Golf, which signed on as presenting sponsor.

The Carlsbad-based golf equipment company has been at the forefront of adaptive golf on the West Coast, having sponsored its own adaptive team since 2020.

“We’re really pleased and honored to be a part of the SCGA’s first Adaptive Championship,” said John Mlynarski IV, custom fitting & strategic partners manager with Callaway. “The diversity, the inclusion, it’s all very important to our brand.”

Come tourney time, Callaway will have an on-site presence at the Championship, with staff providing fitting support among other amenities and services.

“This all goes back to the longstanding relationship we have with the SCGA,” added Mlynarski. “And as we’ve seen this swell
of adaptive golf really pick up, the SCGA approached us and it’s a collaboration that we’re very excited about.”

GAINING MOMENTUM

The momentum of the adaptive game has fast found a kinship amid the partners.

“With Callaway as a key sponsor, it shows how much interest and excitement there is in this space,” enthused Ninnemann. “Before the details of a championship were determined, they wanted to be on board with a more inclusive version of the game.”

Regional participants and supporters of the adaptive golf realm share the excitement for the new enedeavors.

Jeremy Poincenot, a three-time world blind golf champion and nine-time national champ, has long been SoCal’s most famed adaptive golfer. The Carlsbad resident is ready to share the stage with regional playing contemporaries.

“I’m happy that the SCGA is providing this opportunity for golfers with disabilities to compete locally here in Southern California,” said Poincenot, who couples his golf with work as an inspirational speaker. “I had the honor to compete in the USGA’s inaugural Adaptive Open Championship (at Pinehurst), and I think it would be special to also compete in the SCGA’s Inaugural Adaptive Championship. If the dates work in my schedule, and if I qualify, I’d like to make it happen.”

David Kulla-Mader, head golf professional at Westchester GC in Los Angeles and founder & president of Los Angeles Adaptive Golf, has long been at the forefront of the adaptive golf movement in SoCal. Along with the free, monthly adaptive golf clinics Kulla-Mader has hosted at Westchester GC since 2017, the pro is now lending expertise to the SCGA for the upcoming adaptive events.

“I’m just trying to show that it can be done,” said Kulla-Mader of the clinics, which are held by L.A.-based nonprofit Angel City Sports. “At Westchester, I think we’re doing a great job of showing that this is possible and trying to show other golf courses that you can open your course

to people with physical differences; that this is a win for everybody. It humbles us all. Golf is a game about dealing with adversity, and who is better at dealing with adversity on a daily basis than people who have a disability?”

Far more than a mere one-off clinic, the Westchester and Angel City program broadly addresses the educational element of the adaptive golf movement.

“It’s a vessel to help scale the programming itself on the side of the golf professionals and the people at golf courses,” Kulla-Mader explained. “It’s a lot about, ‘How do you start? Where do you get equipment, the athletes? And how can you be prepared to show the athletes the care and compassion required to help them in their golf journey?’”

A LEARNING CURVE

With 15 different classifications for adaptive golf, the education of course setup and access will prove a critical part of the new adaptive events.

“One example is the tee boxes,” explained Kulla-Mader, “and how to make them equitable for all the classifications that compete against each other, so you don’t have people who hit it, say, 120 yards hitting from the same place as people hitting it 250 yards. There needs to be adjustments in the tee boxes. And it can be a bit tricky; whether a player has one arm, or one leg or whether they’re seated or vision impaired. But if you don’t have those tees — you make them. Let’s say there’s a gigantic par-4 at 450 yards; well, you might need to create a tee that is 200 yards out from the deep fairway.”

Echoed Ninnemann of the process: “There’s a lot to learn,” he said. “Whether that involves the type of equipment we need to be accessible at an event or the infrastructure of a host facility, the main focus will remain ensuring the best experience possible for the participants.”

With a host of hardware on his mantle and adaptive golf experience from around the globe, Poincenot offered some guidance to inaugural organizers.

“My advice is simply to run the tournament at the same high level the SCGA runs all of their tournaments; although we might be golfers with a disability, we aren’t much different from all of the golfers who compete in other SCGA events,” Poincenot said. “Ask the players with different disabilities what they think and what they need and be willing to work with us. The best thing you can do is ask questions, be willing to learn, and do everything in your power to help make the experience a positive one for all involved.”

A MISSION OF INCLUSIVITY

Ultimately, by way of the new adaptive events, all parties aim to create more inclusivity and enhanced opportunity. Just as Kulla-Mader envisions a future where adaptive golf is omnipresent on course and club tee sheets, the SCGA and its partners are motivated to make the pro’s vision a reality.

“The SCGA will continue to strive to become a more inclusive organization and we recognize there’s a strong and thriving community in adaptive golf, ” said Ninnemann. “And as part of our vision of ‘Golf for All,’ we know there’s more we can do in this space.”

Whatever one’s level of play, motivation or handicap, golf is always about adapting to the next shot.

“This is so much about growth, understanding and development,” Mlynarski concluded. “Whether that be more access to golf facilities across the country, courses hosting adaptive golf events and more relationships through teaching and clinics. We want to continue this adaptive golf momentum that we have and get more people into the game that we all love.”