When Ridgefield resident Christine Santori shared a video of her disabled son playing golf at Ridgefield Golf Course with the assistance of an adaptive golf device, the community responded with glowing comments. Sean Santori is eighteen and a student at Ridgefield High School.
Greg Jacobson, a former golf pro who is also disabled, chimed in and offered to give Sean lessons. “I am a disabled person who lives and loves golf,” wrote Jacobson. “I am ready, willing and able to coach from my chair to the Paramobile chair. Anyone can contact me at any time for Paramobile coaching,” he added.
The Paramobile, now available for use Ridgefield Golf Course, is designed for anyone with mobility issues and a desire to play.
Jacobson, an Advisory Board Member of the Stand Up and Play Foundation, explained that In February 2016 he first pitched the Paramobile chair to the Town of Ridgefield during a Board of Selectmen meeting. “I made a presentation to the Board of Selectmen to get an adaptive golf device at the Ridgefield Golf Club.”
Jacobson recalls, “With Frank Sergiovanni's assistance it came to fruition. The Paragolfer or Paramobile is a one of a kind device that is truly transformational for any user.”
Santori is beyond delighted. “I had no idea the equipment was available until Rudy [Marconi] told me it about it at one of our Commission for the Disabled meetings.” “I knew this would be a natural fit for Sean,” says Santori
“Unfortunately if you are physically disabled there is not much Ridgefield High School offers,” explains Santori. “I am always searching for some sort of extracurricular activity that he [Sean] can do that is appropriate for his age and for his physical limitation,” she adds.
Through his work with the Stand Up and Play Foundation Jacobson remarks, ”I get to see the amazing looks on so many people's faces especially children who have never stood on their own without human assistance AND we taught them a new fun activity - a simple golf shot.”
There will be a demo & free clinic with Ridgefield's "Paramobile" on Saturday, October 22 from 1 to 3pm at Ridgefield Golf Course. The Demonstration and clinic presented by “Stand Up and Play Foundation”. Learn more about the event here.
Learn more about (and support) the Stand Up and Play Foundation here.
Ridgefield Golf Course is located at 545 Ridgebury Road in Ridgefield.