Participant’s Comments of past
First Swing RI Events

“You and the staff should all be very proud of your efforts in making the recently concluded First Swing the largest and best run event I have had the privilege to being a part of.” - Robert C. Wilson, Executive Director, NAGA 2001

“The sharing of knowledge and experience is a crucial step towards enabling consumers to increase their personal independence. We all are very grateful for your commitment to independent living and to people with disabilities.” - Leo Canuel, MA Executive Director PARI 2002

“Thank you for the time you and others from First Swing took to introduce our delegates to golf at the 2003 Rhode Island Leadership Forum for high school students with disabilities. The students who participated benefited greatly from all of the presentations and opportunity to interact with successful adults with disabilities who have overcome obstacles in their live. Your instructional sessions on golf helped them to understand that there are ways for them to participate in activities they thought were closed to them.” Susan Shaprio, Chairperson – Rhode Island Youth Leadership Forum 2003

Learn to Golf Clinic participant comments:

“Was very pleased” – Cerebral Palsy

“Lots of fun and good format.” – Peripheral Neuropathy

“Good format” – Below the knee amputee

“Great one-on-one instruction very helpful.” – Stroke Survivor

“The instructors were wonderful and very helpful. I had an awesome time.” - Arthrogryposis

“Patient, kind, knowledgeable.” – Stroke Survivor

“This Learn to Golf Clinic was great and helpful. I will pursue playing the game as a result of this clinic.” Post Polio

“This has been an awesome learning experience aside from golf, camaraderie, friendships, support, & fun!” Bilateral Below Knee Amputee

“Susan, the Golf Pro was a great instructor. Thank you Mike Nunnery for your hard work in organizing this!!” – Bilateral Below Knee Amputee

“Instructors were fantastic” - Below Knee Amputee

“3 people worked with me and all were wonderful” –Above Knee Amputee

“ This clinic was the 1st time I’ve had a club in my hands since my amputation (10/99). I was a 25 handicap prior to that. This was an amazing event for me. Marty Ebel is a marvel! – Above Knee Amputee

First Swing Course Evaluation from Professionals:

“Great! Great topic, speakers, organization, direction!” – Physical Therapist

“It’s a fun way to get individuals back to leisure activities and it will help with total body exercise. It was a really fun day! Thanks for the ability to work with others with limb loss and disabilities before the public session on Saturday” – Physical Therapist

“Good time on driving range. Good balance and self-esteem for patients. Great instruction. Gave me something to think about. Will allowed me to instruct more properly.” – Student Physical Therapist

“Instructors were all great. Good exercise to increase balance, increase strength, and most importantly increase social activities and self esteem. It was a lot of fun.” – Occupational Therapist

“This program is a great motivator that will benefit individuals. Excellent over all. This game is a great sport to get people out. I would be happy to have any students continue.” – Susan Bond, Head Professional Weekapaug Country Club

“Excellent over all. I wish I had previous golf experience.” – Occupational Therapy Assistant

“I felt this course instruction was informative and taught golf techniques which may be beneficial to patients as a therapeutic intervention. I liked that it was taught by disabled golfers. I love Bob’s sense of humor.” Ellen Bothelo, OTR/L

“Golf has much more muscle & body movements than the average person realizes, so working with physical therapists is as important as the PGA Professionals instructions. We as PGA professionals need to acquire more knowledge from rehabilitation professionals so we can all work together. I feel we need more participation from PGA and local PGA professionals.” – PGA Professional

“This program provides physical stimulation and exercise while promoting social stimulation with community interaction. Great program!” – Recreational Therapist

“Even talking about golf with participants made their faces light up. The in-politically correct approach gave the presentation a light touch and the information was clear and well presented.” – Physical Therapy Assistant

“After attending this program I will definitely try to increase grip, stance & swing into activities at work with my clients. Many of my patients would like to return to golf. This seminar gave me the ability to understand the skills and physical abilities needed to help them achieve that goal and the ideas to help them compensate if needed. Highly recommend this program to other therapists.” – Occupational Therapist

“Great recreational sport that addresses most rehabilitative issues.” – Occupational Therapist

“Excellent activity for all folks. Great job!” – Occupational Therapist

“I felt there was ample opportunity at the 1st day conference and the following day to be able to work with instructors and the different disabilities of people who attended.” – Physical Therapist

“This is a great program even for someone who has never held a golf club before.” – Student Physical Therapy Assistant

“I think this could give many patients a new lease on life. It was a thoroughly enjoyable seminar with a tremendous amount of worth! Bob is awesome. – Physical Therapy Assistant

“Golf can be a wonderful distraction and challenge for a patient.” – Student Physical Therapy Assistant

“It makes the patient more confident about their future.” - Student Physical Therapy Assistant

“Good info to help patient’s improve golf skills while being filled with enjoyment. I think this is a great medium for improving balance. Coordination, and most importantly quality of life. I can’t wait for next year!” – Physical Therapist

“Bob is great, informative, funny! Wonderful tool to incorporate exercise, range of motion, balance, and fun therapeutically.” – Physical Therapist

“All the staff and instructors were great and have the right orientation (the patient/a person).” – Physical therapist

“Excellent. Easy learning environment, nice progression. Excellent variety. I never golfed but it was if I had gotten lit by fire – very exciting.” – Physical Therapist

“Excellent opportunity for professionals. Great networking. The instructors had a good understanding of therapy and golf and spoke to both aspects of improving a person’s function.” – Physical therapist

“I thought the golf pros could have given more feed back – more connection and attention especially to nongolfers.” – Physical Therapy Assistant

“Bob is a very dynamic speaker” - Physical Therapist

“I fully enjoyed this seminar and excited about implementing the skills I’ve learned.” – Occupational Therapist

“This course was a great experience. It was great to speak with the other participants, First Swing participants & practice under physically disadvantaged circumstances.” – Physical Therapist

“Was great and very well organized. Helpful having speakers with disabilities that really can relate to clients.” – Occupational Therapist

“Bob was a great teacher. He kept my attention and made the instruction fun as well as informative. Having a group that was about ½ novice golfers made me feel much more comfortable and I was actually able to successfully hit a few balls bot “normally” and with adaptive equipment and techniques. Great Fun! – Occupational Therapist