Dear Friends, Supporters and most importantly fellow Sickos
I am thrilled to share a remarkable story about @theLeemur a young man I met at a @PalmettoGolfSociety event. Lee, who is an active participant in both the online NLU community and the local group chats, was attending his first event. And boy did he make a first impression!
He comes from a golfing family and was introduced to the game by his dad, who shares the same genetic condition. Growing up as a child with a disability, he learned to adapt and overcome challenges. This hard work and determination ultimately led to his personal mantra from the inspiring motto: “Attitude is a choice.” With the support from his father and grandfathers, he developed a swing that worked for him using standard clubs. He has a competitive spirit, honed through years of playing soccer, which drives his passion and addiction to golf. It will be exciting to see how custom-fitted clubs will enhance his overall comfort and continue to grow his love for the game. I know for a fact that he is incredibly excited about this opportunity and appreciates all those involved.
An Unforgettable Day
A month before the event, Lee reached out with a simple message: “Just wanted to give you a heads up. I’m disabled, but I promise I’m not slow. Lol.” His emphasis on the pace of play struck a chord and knew he was one of us!
The event was perfect, don’t ask about the pace of play, it wasn’t us! 20 PGS sickos gathered to play a 12-hole par-three course. The weather was amazing, we played under the lights, and there were some incredible golf shots. Getting to know Lee as we walked the course following the championship match was my highlight though.
The Need for Adaptive Equipment
Lee plays golf with a standard set of clubs which are ill-fitting for his needs. It became clear that he would benefit significantly from an adaptive set of clubs. While researching adaptive golf, I discovered Carolina Adaptive Golf, an organization dedicated to using golf as therapy for veterans, adults, and children with unique abilities.
Brandon and Tony from Carolina Adaptive Golf were incredibly supportive. Tony, a bilateral amputee, recommended PING for adaptive golf fittings. Learning more about Carolina Adaptive Golf’s impact on the community, I knew we had found a special place to support Lee.
Our Mission
In early August, Lee will be flying to Arizona to work with PING’s Master Adaptive Fitter, Bryan Rourke, at PING’s Proving Grounds. To support Lee’s experience, his father, Brandon from Carolina Adaptive Golf and I will be joining him. PING generously provides these adaptive golf fittings for free, but we need to fund the custom-built clubs.
How You Can Help
This is our chance as a community to come together and make a lasting impact on one of our finest members. Your support will give Lee the tools he needs to succeed on the golf course.
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Donate: Visit Lee Madden to donate directly. Carolina Adaptive Golf is a 501(c)(3) organization, and all donations are tax-deductible per IRS guidelines (Tax ID: 83-2703634)
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Share: Spread the word by sharing this story on your social channels
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Support: Comment with words of encouragement and share with friends/family
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Keep Supporting: Carolina Adaptive Golf does amazing work and will be a regular part of my time moving forward. So don’t think of the goal is when we stop, it’s only the beginning! There are tons of regularly scheduled events CAG puts on that need our support as well that any extra funds received will go along way to keep them going!
Communities, at their best, are like wildfires of compassion, spreading and growing. Let’s ignite this ember into a flame of generosity and support for Lee. Thank you for your time, consideration, and generosity.
In case you missed it above, Donate Here
Or if you’d like to share the story outside refuge (Lee Madden- PING Fitting - Google Docs)
