By Renee Adam
The Indiana Golf Association (IGA) hosted the highly anticipated third annual Indiana Adaptive Championship at the Golf Club of Indiana in Whitestown over the May 4th weekend. This year’s event saw an impressive turnout, with 28 competitors traveling from nine states and two Canadian provinces, underscoring the growing enthusiasm and participation in adaptive golf across North America.
Evan Mathias of Indianapolis emerged victorious in the Overall Men’s Division, triumphing in a thrilling four-hole playoff against Robby Donarski of Franklin, Wisconsin. Mathias, the defending champion, praised the high level of competition and the challenging nature of the course.
“Robbie really made the day fun,” Mathias said. “It was back and forth all day long, with anything possible. Just consistency was the strongest part of my game this week. I only missed four greens all weekend, I didn’t three putt, and only had one bad swing all day.”
Mathias’s performance was marked by remarkable consistency. Over the weekend, he posted three bogeys, all in the first round, and recorded eight birdies and 25 pars, finishing with a score of five under par. Born with congenital defects to both legs, Mathias has used prosthetics since he was one year old. His impressive resume includes participation in the 2022 and 2023 U.S. Adaptive Opens, where he won the Multiple Leg division last year and finished 29th overall. Mathias also holds a ParaLong Drive record of 398 yards and will compete in the 2024 U.S. Adaptive Open. This July, Mathias will represent Team USA in the Cairns Cup at Cherry Creek Golf Club in Michigan, a “disabled Ryder Cup” between the U.S. and Europe.
“It’s a disabled Ryder Cup between the U.S. and Europe so each team is going to have different sport categories in terms of disabilities,” said Mathias. “And then we have to build a team based on a different number of actual golf handicap ranges.”
Playing in the 0-5 handicap range, Mathias is set to showcase his skills on an international stage. Other notable winners Nancy Towers of Downers Grove, Illinois, who claimed the title in the Overall Women’s Division, showcasing her skill and determination. Meanwhile, Alan Gentry from Louisville, Kentucky, emerged victorious in the Overall Senior Division, thanks to his consistent play, which included three birdies and 20 pars. Johannes Grames of Vancouver finished just three strokes behind Gentry, which highlighted the competitive nature of the event. The Indiana Adaptive Championship underscores the IGA’s dedication to promoting amateur golf through inclusivity and accessibility.
Recent research conducted by the National Center on Accessibility at Indiana University, in collaboration with Clemson University, reveals promising trends in adaptive golf participation. Currently, 10 percent of individuals with disabilities play golf, but a significant 35 percent express interest in learning the sport, highlighting the potential for further growth and engagement.
The Division Winners were:
- Above Knee (G1): Johannes Grames
- Below Knee (G2): Josh Williams
- Multiple Leg (G3): Evan Mathias
- Arm-Unassisted (G4): Alan Gentry
- Arm-Assisted (G5): Jonathan Snyder
- Arm & Leg Imp. (G7): Tracy Ramin
- CP/MD (G8): Robby Donarski
- Visual (G11, G12, G13): Kenny Gentile
- Short Stature (G14): Ethan Crough
- ID (G15): John Mullins
- Overall Senior: Alan Gentry
- Overall Men’s: Evan Mathias
- Overall Women’s: Nancy Towers
Many participants from this tournament competed in the United States Golf Association (USGA) Adaptive Open Qualifier at the Broadmoor Country Club.
Indianapolis was selected by the USGA largely in part due to the IGA hosting the Indianapolis Adaptive Championship for three consecutive years. To be eligible for the qualifier, male and female professional and amateur golfers with a Handicap Index of 36.4 or less and an eligible impairment confirmed by a WR4GD Pass can play. The Adaptive Open features multiple sets of tees and is contested over 54 holes of stroke play. Qualifying for the USGA Adaptive Open was Joshua Williams in the Men’s Division and Sophia Howard in the Women’s Division.
The IGA continues to champion adaptive golf, fostering a community where all players, regardless of their physical abilities, can experience the joy and camaraderie of the sport.
