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On September 7th and 8th, Evergreen Hills Golf Course in Oswego hosted the 7th Annual ARISE &Golf Clinic.
Nineteen individuals from Oswego and Onondaga County participated in the two-day event. The first day consisted of instruction by PGA Professional Dustin Jones, owner and operator of the Deer Run Golf Facility in Westmoreland, NY. Dustin provided an overview of the rules, etiquette, and history of the game followed by hands on training of the various techniques. Outgoing and humorous, combined with a wealth of knowledge and experience, Jones was able to instill a fundamental joy and appreciation of the game that was easily visible on the faces of the participants. “These folks taught me way more than I could teach them. Their smiles and positive outlook on life was enlightening, I am so rejuvenated and this solidified why I chose this profession!” said Jones.
On the second day the participants were grouped into teams and took part in a tournament where they each played three holes with the assistance of a volunteer captain. The captains included Oswego Fire Chief Jeff McCrobie, Oswego City Police Officer Derek Jansson, and Course Member Don Fitch, as well as ARISE employees Andy Bidwell, Josh Solazzo, and the event’s organizer Shane Hoey. Throughout the tournament there were constant streams of laughter and words of encouragement, followed by roars of applause and cheering. This event has improved every year with the assistance of many volunteers and the generosity of golf course owner John Hayes. Hayes also hosts an annual fundraiser for this event that pays for the needed materials and picnic that follows for the individuals and staff. “This is an opportunity for these participants to experience something extraordinary while increasing community awareness and participation,” said Hoey, who joked, “and it also gives me an excuse to play golf at work.”
## About ARISE
ARISE is a non-profit Independent Living Center organized and directed by people with disabilities. The organization has been providing advocacy and services since 1979, and each year ARISE works with approximately 7,000 people of all ages who have all types of disabilities. ARISE offers services in Onondaga, Oswego, Madison, Cayuga, and Seneca counties and also operates ARISE at the Farm, a 77-acre recreational facility in Chittenango, NY, and ARISE & Ski at Toggenburg Winter Sports Center in Fabius, NY.
