<em>Photo above: Adaptive golf winners from the First Annual Adaptive Golf Challenge.</em>

[caption id="attachment_25214" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/FullSizeRender.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-25214" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/FullSizeRender-300x272.jpg" alt="Alex Amaya MUSC PT student and Byron Hayward in the Solo Rider." width="300" height="272" /></a> Alex Amaya MUSC PT student and Byron Hayward in the Solo Rider.[/caption]

If you ask anyone that was there…we couldn’t have asked for a better weekend for the First Annual Adaptive Golf Challenge at Parris Island. The weather was perfect and we had 40 excited golfers and volunteers involved.

The cool morning started with warm up stretches instructed by the Beaufort Memorial Physical Therapists, followed by a chipping lesson by the Parris Island PGA pros. After hitting the range for a little while the volunteers went into action to man the Skills Challenges of putting, chipping and an accurate drive competition. A face of competition was worn by all throughout the different stations and the energy was electric as the contestants took their skills to the course.

For some in the “first flight” there was some intense competition while for some of our “second flight” contestants it was their first time competing in a golf tournament. For one gentleman it was his first time on the golf course in 20 years and with the help of the Paragolfer (stand up wheelchair) he was able to record some impressive scores.

The Marine Corps League provided for a nice box lunch and there was even a birthday cake to celebrate the end of our first year of clinics. There were all kinds of prizes ranging from gift certificates to fine restaurants and pro shop gift certificates to haircuts and free pizza. All of the winners got to pick the prize that best suited them and all left happy and excited to continue next month.

[caption id="attachment_25212" align="alignright" width="289"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/FullSizeRender-3-e1443731137552.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-25212" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/FullSizeRender-3-e1443731137552-289x300.jpg" alt="Fred Gutierrez drives one long." width="289" height="300" /></a> Fred Gutierrez drives one long.[/caption]

We would like to thank all of our prize sponsors that made the weekend events possible. Prizes were provided by: Panini’s, Carolina Tavern, Luther’s, Mikki’s, Salon, Limelight, Agave Mexican Grill, 1635 on the Avenue, Sanctuary Golf Club, Wren, TGC Pleasant Point, Wind it up, Old School Pizzeria, Q on Bay, The Legends GC of Parris Island, and La Napalera.

Sponsorships that made it possible to hold this event were graciously provided by: Beaufort Memorial Hospital (Event Sponsor),Marine Corps League (Lunch Sponsor), Spectrum Signs, Agri-Lawn, Susan and Tommy Harden, Lowcountry Podiatry, Michael Perpall, Industrial Design and Build, Bob Krebs, Navy Wives Club of Charleston, Harris Pillow, Sun City Veterans, The Timson Family, and Ladies Sanctuary Golf Association.