Keiser University College of Golf (COG) students recently thanked a Special Olympics star athlete, a local veteran, and several leaders within the community for shedding light on additional ways to engage and educate students with disabilities.

With special presentations by 2015 Special Olympics Florida Athlete of the Year Jonathan Doring and Mary Anderson-Kokell, a Vietnam veteran with posttraumatic stress disorder, the Teaching Students with Disabilities seminar provided information about how golf improves the overall quality of life for players through health benefits and engagement in community activities.

Following presentations from keynote speakers Steve Jubb, a PGA member and Executive Director of the National Alliance for Accessible Golf (NAAG); Donna White, a PGA/LPGA member, COG professor, and the Director of Palm Beach County Special Olympics Golf; and Judy Alvarez, a PGA/LPGA member and PGA National Trainer for The Wounded Warriors Golf Program; Doring shared a heartfelt story about how the Special Olympics positively impacted his life as he competed in tennis, bowling, swimming, softball, and golf. Anderson-Kokell then relayed how the game of golf has presented refreshing flashback-free outdoor opportunities, while thanking Alvarez and White for their lessons and support.

The event concluded with interactive recording and launch monitor technology sessions in the COG Indoor Training Area.

The NAAG is represented by major golf, recreation and therapeutic organizations throughout the United States.

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