Headline: Golfers Come Out For the First Annual ADA New England Regional Golf Tournament at Leo J. Martin Golf Course

For Immediate Release: November 21, 2016

Scenes from the ADA New England Regional Golf Tournament

Weston, MA — While many will remember November 8, 2016 as the day that a new President of the United States was elected, Steve Kuketz will remember the day for something else, something that in his eyes, is just as important as fulfilling your civic duty.

That’s because Kuketz oversaw a successful implementation of the first ADA New England Regional Golf Tournament that was held at Leo J. Martin Golf Course in Weston.

It was there on that Tuesday morning in early November that more than 20 golfers of all ages took to the links for the 9-hole tournament that brought together para-golfers, blind players, amputees, veteran heroes, one armed athletes and athletes with disabilities, to just name a few, for a round of golf and to serve the reminder that golf is for everyone.

According to Kuketz, there was a league style format with para-golfers, “A”, “B” and novice divisions as well as divisions that were broken down for players who need assistance and for those who didn’t.

“I must say these players are terrific and full of very big hearts” said Kuketz, who the MGA featured earlier this season after he registered a hole in one. The Brockton native has been a paraplegic since 1991 and has lost vision in the left eye.

CLICK HERE to read that story.

Additionally, the ADA New England Regional Golf Tournament also featured a closest to the pin competition as well as a longest drive competition for players from each respective division, and medalists from each division received awards and certificates, many of which were donated from local restaurants, businesses and clubs.

“This giving back from the local community brings more meaning to our ADA tournaments,” said Kuketz, who plays golf using a specialized paragolfer machine that is designed specifically for golfers without the use of their lower body.

Among those who helped make this event possible was the South Shore YMCA, who like their national branches, help make most Olympic sports inclusive for all and provide an opportunity for newly injured persons to get back in the game of golf and other adaptive sports.

The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, who earlier this year donated four paragolfer machines between the Leo J Martin Golf Course and Canton’s Ponkapoag Golf Course, donated a banquet room for use by the group while they were also provided the range, practice greens and generous assistance in the operation of the event.

PGA Rick Johnson, an adaptive teaching golf professional, officiated the event.

While organizers were happy with the participation for the event’s inaugural event, Kuketz says they will plan on increasing the playing field by adding a “Golden Masters” division next season for golfers who are aged 80 and above.

Here are the final divisional standings for the 2016 New England Regional Championship:

Para-golfers:
First Place: Steve Kuketz
Second Place: Jerry Donovan
Third Place: Jeffrey Whelpley

“A” Division:
First Place: Don Deay
Second Place: Mike Donlon
Third Place: John Davidson

“B” Division:
First Place: Frank Enfanto
Second Place: William Fahey
Third Place: Fred Corcoran