The Oak Lawn Park District has partnered with a nonprofit organization this year that will provide instructors who will teach people with special needs how to pay golf.
“The Oak Lawn Park District has a special recreation department that offers a wide range of services to individuals with disabilities and this partnership will help us enhance a program that we are already so passionate about,” said Maddie Kelly, director of the park district. “Including more individuals with disabilities is an incredible opportunity for everyone involved.”
The partnership with Freedom Golf Association was commemorated Jan. 19 with an open house at the district’s 18-hole Stony Creek Golf Course on 103rd Street.
Freedom Golf Association was founded in 2012 and provides free clinics and golf events at 40 courses around the Chicago area. In the process, the organization has helped those courses become more accessible to the disabled community.
“Regardless of whether an individual has intellectual or developmental challenges, physical or cognitive disabilities, FGA believes that the sport of golf can help them,” FGA adaptive golf director Jonathan Snyder stated in an email.
Since its inception, FGA has provided more than 3,500 lessons to disabled and special needs children and adults, as well as disabled veterans who have to learn or re-learn the basics of playing golf, according to the group’s website.
Other Southland courses where the FGA operates include Cog Hill Golf and Country Club in Lemont, Odyssey Country Club in Tinley Park and Prairie Bluff Public Golf Club in Lockport.
Kelly said FGA advisory member Mike Munro had reached out to the district recently in search of another golf facility where their instructors can teach.
She said the district’s mission to provide recreation to all age groups and abilities is similar to that of FGA’s and the partnership was a “perfect fit.”
Kelly said the partnership will not mean any new taxes for residents.
“Including more individuals with disabilities is an incredible opportunity for everyone involved,” Kelly said.
Frank Vaisvilas is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.