SOUTHWEST AMPUTEE GOLF ASSOCIATION

S.W.A.G.A.

About 40 years ago a couple of amputees who loved playing golf and wanted others to be able to enjoy it also formed the Texas Amputee Golf Association. It is a way to meet people with similar physical limitations and provide the motivation to get out and get active.

In 2007 the Texas group merged with the National Amputee Golf Association (NAGA) in order to form the new Southwest Region of NAGA, the Southwest Amputee Golf Association (SWAGA). SWAGA is a charitable 501(c)(3) association. All contributions are tax deductible,

  Working with the National Amputee Golf Assn. and their First Swing clinics, we have attracted many new golfers. People who suffer from a life altering event, namely the loss of a limb, often think their lives have been changed to the point where they could no longer participate in life activities. By participating in our golf clinics and tournaments, they have found out they are able to participate, compete in and enjoy golf. 

  We are a non-profit charitable association founded to help amputees get out and discover there is life after a traumatic injury.  Our golfers range in skill from people who shoot 18 hole scores in the 70s to others shooting around 120.  We have people ranging in age from teenagers to people in their 80s.  Both women and men participate and play in their respective flights.  

  For about 25 years now, we have hosted tournaments for amputees in the Dallas/Ft. Worth and Austin areas. Our tournaments usually attract around 60 to 70 amputees.  (We have a membership/mailing list of about 350 golfers.)  If space allows, we let visiting non-amputees such as family members and close friends play in a Guest Flight (usually about 15 to 20 people).  Guests pay all their own expenses but we do furnish prizes and/or trophies for them.

 Several celebrities have attended the tournament over the years. Brad Davis (Dallas Mavericks), Ray Burris (Texas Rangers), Brad Wright and John Criswell (TV News Anchors), Galyn Wilkins (Sports Writer) and other college coaches and athletes have attended. Guest Celebrities are invited to play a round of golf with a group of our amputees and stay for the banquet meal.

The events are fun and informative. More especially, they provide a venue to meet new and old friends for a weekend of golf and camaraderie.