Longbow to Host Ability360 Charity Tourney for Golfers With Disabilities
Photo by Loren Worthington
The second Ability360 Charity Golf Tournament, a best-ball tournament where golfers with and without disabilities play side by side, is Friday, Sept. 22 at the Longbow Golf Club, 5601 E. Longbow Parkway in Mesa. Shotgun start is scheduled at 8 a.m.
Presented by Lovitt & Touché, the tournament will benefit the 45,000-square foot nonprofit Ability360 Sports& Fitness Center, one of the nation’s first fully adaptive sports and fitness centers.
An Ability360 Sports & Fitness Center member with a disability will play in each tournament foursome. Last year, 144 golfers filled up the sold-out field and helped raise more than $45,000 that will be used to support the independence, health and overall well-being of people with disabilities using the Center.
“The intent, in addition to offering a great day of golf on a great golf course, is to encourage conversation about the importance and value of inclusion in sports and to show that having a disability doesn’t preclude anyone from competing in the sport of their choice,” said Ability360 President and CEO Phil Pangrazio.
Longbow Golf Club was one of the state’s first public access courses to test, purchase and offer specialized adaptive golf carts and to host clinics and events for youth and adults to learn to play golf.
The $200 cost per golfer for the 360Charity Golf tournament includes greens fees, golf cart, range balls, tee gifts and a post-event reception, which will include a helicopter ball drop for first, second and third place prizes. Event and hole sponsorship opportunities are currently available.
