About 40 area golfers could not wait any longer for the snow to clear so they gathered at the Edwin Shaw Challenge Golf Course in Lakemore for a day of golfing, fun and food on Saturday, Feb. 20.
It was the inaugural Frosty Fairway Open - nine holes of frozen golf.
The course was dug out by the yellow bobcats on the area that is usually known as the driving range, when it isn’t under inches and inches of the white flakes.
A good time was had by all even though it was difficult to find the orange golf balls that sank in the waves of deep snow. The snowy golf outing will be an annual fund raiser to continue the activities that help those that have gone through a trauma.
Ron Tristano, the manager of the Challenge Golf Program, said in addition to the fundraiser, this was a chance for people to know that they can come and use this facility year round. The facility has an indoor computer swing analyzer.
“We would like people who want to practice to come here to use the range, course and indoor facilities. It is a great place for kids. Every dollar spent here helps us keep our programs for people with disabilities going forward and that is what is so important to us,” he said. “If I could get more people to come in from the community to hit balls, that would be wonderful.”
The program began in 1989 and has been going strong for 21 years. Tristano, a PGA professional, stated that it is not just for Edwin Shaw patients.
“If a person has a disability or special need we will work with them. We also work with young people,” he said.
Tristano said there are many people who could benefit from the program.
“There are people out there that are giving up golf because of arthritis or the aging process and if they came out here we could help them,” said Tristano. “We could give them some swing tips that would put less stress on their body. Hip replacement, hands hurt, back hurts, knee injury, etc. there are tons of people out there that have given up the game and didn’t need too.”
John Wroe is a stroke victim who was asked one day during therapy if he would like to go out on the course instead of having a therapy session. He said that it was an easy choice and one that changed his life.
Not only did the golfing help him to regain his life but he has now logged in over 4,000 volunteer hours at the course, he has three hole in one shots and four club championships.
“I have regained the quality of life that no one could have ever dreamed of,” he said.
Wroe is still partially paralyzed on the left side so he plays one armed.
“I have a very good right hand that works. The program has been everything to me but it has also touched 8,000 other people that have come through these doors who have benefited in different ways,” he said. “If you have had a tragedy in your life, this is a place where you can triumph with it.”
He said doing something physical again keeps him from feeling he is not disabled and disengaged from life. He said people can be an active participant in an active sport.
“Ron gave me the encouragement and the right instruction that didn't overwhelm me or discourage me,” said Wroe.
Tristano said Wroe worked extremely hard and is a very determined individual.
“John has been such a good role model. He visits people in the hospital and encourages them. He has mentored so many people here. He has helped others have confidence and elevate their self esteem.”Tristano said.
Wroe said he used to drive by the course and never thought he would be connected with it until he had a stroke.
“It has been the major vehicle to get me back into a quality of life after a life changing illness. I hate to think what would have happened if I had not come here,” he said.
“That day, when I hit that first ball, it erased all the depression. It was the best medicine I could have ever had because I knew I could do something again,” said Wroe.
He played golf about once a year before he had his stoke. He was a competitive bowler and had plans to become a professional bowler when he retired from teaching. The stroke took that away from him.
“My greatest accomplishment was walking my youngest daughter down the aisle at her beachfront wedding without a cane,” he said.
Tristano has been teaching golf in the area since 1980 and he joined the course in 1989 as a volunteer instructor.
“It is something that just hit with me. I could teach golf to people that need help. This was something I wanted to do,” he said.
“I leave here every day realizing how strong minded people are how determined they are and some of the strongest people that come through these doors are their spouses. I can help people to deal with the idea that they are going to play golf a little differently but they are going to play it and if they haven’t played before, we open it up as a new opportunity,” he said.
He said he has been given an opportunity to use his skills to help people to improve their quality of life and is blessed to be part of it.
Wroe said his wife of 42 years, Cindy, has been his greatest supporter.
“There is a lot more to golf than a game,” he said. “I get to have friends and come here and play and have independence. It is exciting to get your life back and have a second chance.”
Everyone enjoyed the frosty day of golf and lunch. Those that did not want to play outdoors enjoyed the opportunity to use the computer swing analyzer.
For more information about Edwin Shaw Challenge Golf call 330-784-5400.
