The Orthotic & Prosthetic Activities Foundation (OPAF) and The First Clinics hosted First Swing Learn to Golf and First Volley tennis clinics in Denver on June 20.
First Swing was a full-day event at Wellshire Golf Course that offered classroom and driving range experience to local therapists, golf teaching pros, and anyone with an interest in adaptive recreation. The clinic was led by National Amputee Golf Association (NAGA) First Swing instructors W.C. Fields and Bob Tipton, PT, and assisted by Bobby Mourino. Representatives from area rehabilitation hospitals and the local Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) were on hand for the morning session of classroom and hands-on instruction. Two SoloRider carts were available for testing and use by the teachers and the youth, adult, and senior participants.
The First Volley tennis clinic for standing and wheelchair players was held that evening at Garland Park and was led by local First Volley instructors Frank Adams and Stefan Blair. More than a dozen attendees participated in learning tennis skills and drills.
The clinics were made possible through ongoing financial gifts to OPAF from the Ed Halperin Memorial Golf Outing. Halperin, who had bilateral below-knee amputations, was an avid golfer. The Halperin family attended the event.