Latest news with #GolfAssociationofPhiladelphia
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Joe Mantegna Is 100% Down for a "Da Bears" Swerski Brothers SNL Return
How the Golf Association of Philadelphia is ensuring the game is accessible to all players While Philadelphia is known for golf, a new adaptive form is beginning to thrive in the area to help those with neurological, intellectual, or physical disabilities play.
CBS News
05-05-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
What is adaptive golf? Learn more about what's beginning to thrive in Philadelphia
How the Golf Association of Philadelphia is ensuring the game is accessible to all players How the Golf Association of Philadelphia is ensuring the game is accessible to all players How the Golf Association of Philadelphia is ensuring the game is accessible to all players With all its iconic courses and historic tournaments, the Philadelphia area is known for golf. Now, because of the efforts of the Golf Association of Philadelphia, adaptive golf is beginning to thrive. Adaptive golf is a way for those with neurological, intellectual, or physical disabilities to play golf. "Adaptive golf is amazing because it really is adaptable to any and all situations," manager Anna Kittelson said. "So when people come out, there is no, 'Can I?' It's always, 'Yes, you can.'" According to Adam Benza, an amputee himself, adaptive golf is a way to overcome disabilities. CBS Philadelphia "So many people get so nervous, they don't want to expose themselves. They're afraid to show their disability," Benza said. "They're concerned about coming out to a golf course and holding up the pace of play, and it's more than that we teach them. You don't need to go play 18 holes right away. You can go to the range and hit balls, go chip. Just get outside and just become more comfortable doing this." Fred Heller, the head pro at Rolling Green and also an amputee, says that being able to expose more people to golf is the goal. "It means the world to me to be able to see adaptive golfers come out and play golf and start to learn the game," Heller said. "To me, to be able to give back and show all these adaptive golfers that they can actually play this game and they can come out and enjoy just like everyone else." People have noticed the success of the adaptive program. Last year, in the inaugural GAP Adaptive Championship, 55 players from 20 states and four different countries took part. The sky is the limit for the program, but in the end, it's about being together "It's actually awesome, it's like a big family now," Benza said. "Whether it's neurological, intellectual amputees, we all hang out after a round and have laughs. It's a lot of fun to be around."
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Masters marker creates a buzz on social media from golf fans wishing they could take his place
Masters marker creates a buzz on social media from golf fans wishing they could take his place Tom Kim, of South Korea, waves after making a putt on the second hole during the second round at the Masters golf tournament, Friday, April 11, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis) Tom Kim, of South Korea, walks to the tee on the 18th hole during the second round at the Masters golf tournament, Friday, April 11, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) Tom Kim, of South Korea, walks to the tee on the 18th hole during the second round at the Masters golf tournament, Friday, April 11, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) Tom Kim, of South Korea, waves after making a putt on the second hole during the second round at the Masters golf tournament, Friday, April 11, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis) Tom Kim, of South Korea, walks to the tee on the 18th hole during the second round at the Masters golf tournament, Friday, April 11, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Michael McDermott became the envy of the golf world — again. For the second time in three years, McDermott served as a non-competing marker at the Masters, this time playing alongside Tim Kim for 18 holes in the third round at Augusta National on Saturday. Advertisement When there's an odd number of players who make the cut at the Masters, the single player gets a playing partner — appointed by the club — to record his score. McDermott, the CEO of a financial services firm in Pennsylvania and a member at Augusta National, got the nod. His rules were a little different than a regular Masters competitor. He didn't record an official score, and his name couldn't be on the back of his caddie's coveralls like the tournament invitees. And he's not allowed to speak to the media after his round. But he did get to play 18 holes in the Masters, which had social media abuzz Saturday morning with many wishing they could trade places with him for the day. Some wanted to see his shots livestreamed and others joked they wanted sportsbooks to post his odds for the round. Advertisement McDermott isn't some weekend hacker. He has 10 major victories in the Golf Association of Philadelphia and won the association's amateur title in 2008, 2013 and 2016. He routinely drives the ball 300-plus yards, and Kim said McDermott didn't hold him up at all. 'He played great actually," said Kim, who estimated McDermott would have shot in the 70s if he'd kept score. 'Hits the ball really far. His irons, sometimes he grabbed one club longer than me. He was a complete baller.' Kim, who has an outgoing personality, said he was pleasantly surprised when he walked to the first tee box and learned he'd be playing with McDermott. At most events on professional tours, singles can play alone and often zip around the course, finishing well ahead of the twosomes behind them. Advertisement But Kim said it was 'a lot more fun' playing with McDermott than by himself. 'We just had a really good time,' Kim said. 'I was so shocked when I got to the first tee. There were so many people on the first tee. Like it almost felt like I was in the final group on Sunday. So many people. I felt more nervous today than I did yesterday (in the second round). Even on Thursday.' Kim noted there was huge applause as they walked down the first fairway: 'I'm sure they were clapping for Michael, not me.' Kim treated the round as if he was playing with another pro. If McDermott won the hole, he'd hit first on the next tee box. But there were also times where Kim would hole a putt and McDermott would pick up his ball to keep the group moving. Advertisement 'He's really, really good player,' Kim said. 'Definitely helped just kind of the rhythm of golf, just going out and playing alone and having no momentum or not feeding off anyone. It was nice to be able to have a conversation down the fairway.' ___ AP golf:
Associated Press
12-04-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Masters marker creates a buzz on social media from golf fans wishing they could take his place
AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Michael McDermott became the envy of the golf world — again. For the second time in three years, McDermott served as a non-competing marker at the Masters, this time playing alongside Tim Kim for 18 holes in the third round at Augusta National on Saturday. When there's an odd number of players who make the cut at the Masters, the single player gets a playing partner — appointed by the club — to record his score. McDermott, the CEO of a financial services firm in Pennsylvania and a member at Augusta National, got the nod. His rules were a little different than a regular Masters competitor. He didn't record an official score, and his name couldn't be on the back of his caddie's coveralls like the tournament invitees. And he's not allowed to speak to the media after his round. But he did get to play 18 holes in the Masters, which had social media abuzz Saturday morning with many wishing they could trade places with him for the day. Some wanted to see his shots livestreamed and others joked they wanted sportsbooks to post his odds for the round. McDermott isn't some weekend hacker. He has 10 major victories in the Golf Association of Philadelphia and won the association's amateur title in 2008, 2013 and 2016. He routinely drives the ball 300-plus yards, and Kim said McDermott didn't hold him up at all. 'He played great actually,' said Kim, who estimated McDermott would have shot in the 70s if he'd kept score. 'Hits the ball really far. His irons, sometimes he grabbed one club longer than me. He was a complete baller.' Kim, who has an outgoing personality, said he was pleasantly surprised when he walked to the first tee box and learned he'd be playing with McDermott. At most events on professional tours, singles can play alone and often zip around the course, finishing well ahead of the twosomes behind them. But Kim said it was 'a lot more fun' playing with McDermott than by himself. 'We just had a really good time,' Kim said. 'I was so shocked when I got to the first tee. There were so many people on the first tee. Like it almost felt like I was in the final group on Sunday. So many people. I felt more nervous today than I did yesterday (in the second round). Even on Thursday.' Kim noted there was huge applause as they walked down the first fairway: 'I'm sure they were clapping for Michael, not me.' Kim treated the round as if he was playing with another pro. If McDermott won the hole, he'd hit first on the next tee box. But there were also times where Kim would hole a putt and McDermott would pick up his ball to keep the group moving. 'He's really, really good player,' Kim said. 'Definitely helped just kind of the rhythm of golf, just going out and playing alone and having no momentum or not feeding off anyone. It was nice to be able to have a conversation down the fairway.' ___ AP golf:
