Father and son, Drew and Jack Morgan, practice putting at the Els for Autism Foundation’s ‘GameON’ Autism Youth Golf Clinic at TPC Jasna Polana in August.
Students from the Princeton Child Development Institute teed off with PGA professionals to support the Els for Autism Foundation at TPC Jasna Polana.
During the foundation’s “GameON” Autism Youth Golf Clinic, PGA and TPC golf pros taught children, ages six to 18, basic golf skills like holding the club and hitting a ball. The clinic was designed for individuals on the autism spectrum.
The Youth Golf Clinic is part of the Els for Autism 2013 Golf Challenge, which raises money to benefit autism research and services. Spearheaded by Golf Hall of Famer Ernie Els, the challenge consists of a series of Super Regional events at courses across the United States and Canada from April through September.
Introducing golf to children on the autism spectrum is supported by multiple golf organizations including US Kids, First Tee and the PGA of America. To further spread the program, PGA of America provides the clinic format to professional golfers so they can follow the teaching plan for youth on the autism spectrum at their home courses.
PCDI students who participated in the E4A Golf Clinic demonstrated institute’s philosophy that, with skilled treatment, children with autism can learn to play, talk with others, hug their parents and participate in family outings.
PCDI is a private, non-profit program offering a broad spectrum of science-based services to children, adolescents and adults with autism. Additionally, the institute has pioneered comprehensive intervention models that are disseminated nationally and internationally for the benefit of all persons with autism.
More information is online at pcdi.org.
