One Step At A Time

Those golfers who spend much time on the driving range working to hone their swings can typically tell when a new student is taking their first lesson with a particular PGA Professional. As is typically the case, the first lesson begins with a short conversation with the professional asking several questions of the new pupil. The questions cover a variety of topics including how long the student has played, current handicap, common mistakes, short- and long-term goals, physical issues that may hinder their game, etc. It is a necessary and very important conversation for both the student, the PGA Professional. Both are able to begin establishing a relationship that will allow for the correct instruction to be given enabling the golfer to see the greatest benefit and therefore improve their game as much as possible. This same conversation happens with each new junior golfer who joins in the weekly “Golf Day” clinics at Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital.

Such was the case one afternoon a few years ago at an early November clinic when a 13 year old young man named A.J. came to his first golf clinic. A.J.’s therapist pushed him in his wheelchair to the clinic and told everyone that he was looking forward to playing golf. As the PGA Professionals squatted down to talk to A.J. and learn a little bit about him and what he wanted to get out of learning to play golf, he boldly stated “I want to learn how to walk again.” This caused everyone to smile and promise to work hard right alongside A.J. to make his goal into reality. A.J. did not hesitate to get started as he immediately wheeled himself over to the line of U.S. Kids Golf clubs and quickly selected a driver. As most of the children prefer, A.J. swung with one arm from the side of his wheelchair and picked it up right off the bat. In depth instruction did not begin right away; rather A.J. was allowed to start to develop his own swing and provide feedback on what felt good to him.

Over the next few weeks out-going A.J. worked hard in therapy and on his golf swing. He was never shy to ask questions or want to try something different. A.J. was always the life of the golf clinics, constantly talking, smiling, and laughing. Minor tweaks and adjustments were made to his setup position allowing him to take a fuller backswing while in his wheelchair. The most comfortable position that provided the best results was a slightly closed setup. A closed setup is where the front foot, hip, and shoulder are closer to the ball while the back foot, hip, and shoulder are farther away. A.J. and the PGA Professionals found that this allowed him to take a longer backswing and hit the golf ball much straighter and farther. While A.J. continued to improve his golf game, what he did not tell anyone was how much he was improving in therapy.

Ranken Jordan President & CEO Lauri Tanner with Cooper Burks

Golf clinics at Ranken Jordan are held 52 weeks a year regardless of inclement weather, scheduling conflicts, or holidays. Adjustments to the day of the week may be made if major holidays fall on the regularly scheduled day for golf, but the kids will still have the opportunity to hit golf balls every week. A few short weeks after A.J. arrived at his first golf clinic and let everyone know he wanted to learn how to walk again; he came to the golf clinic the week before Christmas. On this particular day the clinic was going to be primarily putting and chipping practice. There were more people with A.J. this time than usual, therapists, family, nurses, etc. A few children were already there working on their putting stroke or trying to chip golf balls into the target nets. There was one putting mat available that A.J. had his eyes on. Everyone expected to see A.J. wheel himself over to the golf clubs, get his favorite putter, and head for the green. Today, however, A.J. had a different thought. With his therapists standing right beside him, A.J. got out of his wheelchair, was secured into a stander, and he walked to the open putting mat. A.J. stood as he hit a few putts then turned and walked back to his wheelchair. Mission accomplished. There was not a dry eye in the room.

Juggling, Putting, & Jedi

During the past weeks excitement has grown for a couple of upcoming events.  People everywhere are getting more excited (or anxious, nervous, and frustrated) as Christmas draws nearer.  The other thing many people have been anxiously awaiting for 32 years is the release of Star Wars Episode VII:  The Force Awakens.  No matter where you go or what television station you have on you will undoubtedly see commercials or references to both Christmas and Star Wars.  Of course certain stores have had their Christmas merchandise out since June so it is becoming an almost year-round holiday.  About the time stores started putting out their Christmas merchandise far too early I started the countdown to December 18 when The Force Awakens would hit theaters.  However, as much of a fan of Star Wars that I am, every Wednesday afternoon I see things that are far more impressive than Master Yoda using the Force to raise Luke Skywalker's X-Wing out of the swamp on Dagobah.

Every December the National Hockey League's St. Louis Blues take one of their days off and visit the pediatric hospitals here in St. Louis.  Ranken Jordan is always one of their stops with Patrik Berglund, Brian Elliott, Jaden Schwartz, and Magnus Paajarvi visiting the kids this year.  Needless to say the kids absolutely love spending time with the players, taking pictures, and getting autographs.  Their visit this year happened to coincide with "Golf Day" so we set up a miniature golf course for the kids to play along with the Blues players.  Not that I want to brag on the kids (yes, I actually do), but none of the players beat any of the kids in the numerous rounds they played on our miniature golf course.  You can see a short video of the visit that aired on Fox 2 St. Louis by clicking HERE.  One of the children who joined the fun that day was a very cute and sweet little girl named Nora.  In the video you will see Blues goalie Brian Elliott juggling for her.  After he finished Nora showed him that she knows how to juggle, too!  Following that lesson Nora proceeded to pick up a golf club for the first time and beat him in mini golf!

The visit from the Blues and that first trip around the miniature golf course seemed to infect Nora with the golf bug.  She has been back each week and diligently works on her putting stroke every chance she gets.  Just this past Wednesday I was absolutely amazed to look around and see 6 adults enthralled with how well she was putting and how much fun she was having.  Her reactions and facial expressions are nothing short of priceless!  The pure joy and excitement she gets from seeing a putt drop into the cup is readily evident and puts a smile on the face of everybody around her. Nora kept everybody entertained as she worked and worked to improve her putting stroke . . . with the occasional break to try and throw the golf balls into the hole!  As a PGA Professional, watching her learn to enjoy the game so soon and improve so quickly is incredibly satisfying.  But what is truly rewarding is seeing her laugh, smile, play, heal, and interact with everybody around her.

Many children look most forward to the presents that accompany the holiday season.  I must admit that I also look forward to getting presents.  However the "presents" I look forward to receiving arrive 52 weeks a year, not just during the holidays.  The "presents" I am talking about are the gifts the children of Ranken Jordan give to me each and every week.  Not a week goes by that I do not leave the hospital knowing that I received far more from the kids than they will ever get from me.  I treasure the time I get to spend with children like Nora and look forward to everything she and the other kids will teach me each week.  As wise as Master Yoda was I do not think that even he could teach me what the children do.  Without a doubt, the Force is strong with the kids.