Edina Hosts First Minnesota Adaptive Open Golf Tournament
The City of Edina partnered with multiple organizations to host the inaugural Minnesota Adaptive Open at Braemar Golf Course in late September, bringing 38 golfers with disabilities together for championship-level competition.
Edina's Braemar Golf Course served as the venue for Minnesota's first-ever adaptive golf championship tournament, a collaborative effort between the city, the Minnesota Golf Association, Braemar Golf Course, Verticat, and Courage Kenny Institute.
The tournament drew 38 amateur and professional golfers with various disabilities, including intellectual, neurological, sensory, and physical impairments. Beyond the competition, the event featured golf lessons, a welcome dinner, and a meet-and-greet with Minnesota Wild hockey players.
Participants praised both the quality of the experience and the sense of community the event fostered. "It means a lot to be among other disabled players. The camaraderie. We had conversations. People cared. Asked you questions about how do you play," one tournament participant said.
Braemar Golf Course has offered adaptive golf programs since 1979, and recent renovations were designed with accessibility in mind. A course representative explained the philosophy behind the facility updates: "We basically took into consideration that we wanted to make the facility playable for all ages and abilities. And we have a facility that pretty much anybody can use, from adaptive players to juniors to seniors to accomplished golfers."
The tournament's success has already secured its future. Braemar Golf Course has been selected to host the second annual Minnesota Adaptive Open next year. "I'm glad I was here for the first one. I mean, it's only going to get better and better from now on," one participant said. No formal city council vote was required for the event, which was presented as an informational item highlighting the successful community partnership.
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Inaugural Minnesota Adaptive Open Tournament Hosting and Community Partnership
The City of Edina, in partnership with the MGA, Braar Golf Course, Verticat, and Courage Kenny Institute, successfully hosted the first Minnesota Adaptive Open in late September. The tournament featured 38 talented amateur and professional golfers competing at championship level. The event included supplementary programming such as lessons, a meet-and-greet with Minnesota Wild Hockey players, and a welcome dinner. Participants praised the course quality, professional tournament management, and competitive atmosphere. The facility's accessibility features and long history of adaptive golf programming (since 1979) were highlighted as key factors in the tournament's success.
When we did the renovation here at Braar, we basically took into consideration that we wanted to make the facility playable for all ages and abilities. And we have a facility that pretty much anybody can use, from adaptive players to juniors to seniors to accomplished golfers.
It means a lot to be among other disabled players. The camaraderie. We had conversations. People cared. Asked you questions about how do you play.
What the Minnesota Golf Association is doing is um it's incredible to give people of disabilities the opportunity to compete at the highest level at a super nice course in a professionally run tournament. It's it's awesome.
I'm glad I was here for the first one. I mean, it's only going to get better and better from now on. So, I can't wait for next year.
Source document
[music] Earlier this fall, as the end of the golf season approached, the city of Edina had the opportunity to host a very special event. 38 talented amateur and professional golfers traveled to Braar Golf Course to participate in a first one-of-a-skind tournament. Edina TV brings you the story. On the last beautiful weekend of September, Adidina's Braar Golf Course had the honor of being host to the very first Minnesota Adaptive Open. >> The adaptive Open was created in conjunction with the MGA, Braar Golf Course, the city of Edina, Verticat, and Courage Kenny Institute to give adaptive golfers the chance to come out and compete in a true championship. Since 1979, Braar Golf Course has offered programs for adaptive golfers, individuals with intellectual, neurological, sensory, or physical impairments. >> When we did the renovation here at Braar, we basically took into consideration that we wanted to make the facility playable for all ages and abilities. And we have a facility that pretty much anybody can use, from adaptive players to juniors to seniors to accomplished golfers. The weekend included lessons, a meet and greet with Minnesota Wild Hockey players. >> Nice. One of these. Thanks. >> And a welcome dinner. >> Welcome everyone to the inaugural Minnesota Adaptive Open. [applause] >> It means a lot to be among other disabled players. The camaraderie. We had conversations. People cared. Asked you questions about how do you play? Although the tournament was open to both amateurs and professionals, players came for some serious golf. >> I've never been more intimidated in my life. The people that come here are just so much more talented than I could have imagined, which makes it fun. >> Max, nice to meet you. >> The talented field included Max Togasala, the number one ranked seated player in the world. >> Course is amazing. I mean, we had perfect weather, I heard, for Minnesota around this time. So, I I I couldn't complain at all. But back N's really tough, which is good. I mean, it's a good test of golf. >> Hit the hole. >> Hit it. Hit it. >> It was incredibly close. I you know, following the score, the leaderboard there, Justin, who was in our group, was within one shot of the lead for most of the back back nine there, but it was one shot difference. >> Yes. The scores were tabulated and awards were presented on Sunday evening. >> In our men's overall category, Max Togosalo, [applause] >> all these players are super good and I know a lot of them personally for playing in four years and uh I know there's a lot of good players. So, it was pretty competitive out there. For all of us who love golf with all of its normal complications, to all of you that played in the tournament with the with the added sort of uh challenges that you have, I I my hat is off to all of you and it just goes to show you that this game means so much to so many people. What the Minnesota Golf Association is doing is um it's incredible to give people of disabilities the opportunity to compete at the highest level at a super nice course in a professionally run tournament. It's it's awesome. >> We definitely got a lot of good response from all the golfers. They love the golf course. >> It's really fun. I'm glad I was here for the first one. I mean, it's only going to get better and better from now on. So, I can't wait for next year. >> For Edina TV, I'm Kenneth Gaml. This year's adaptive open tournament was such a success that Braar Golf Course has already been chosen to host the second annual tournament next year.
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Other Topics from This Document
Accessibility and Inclusive Facility Design at Braar Golf Course
Tournament Success and Future Planning
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