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In 2001, Navy Golf Course PGA head professional and director of golf Joe Grohman attended a United States Blind Golf Association clinic in Los Angeles. He was so moved that he invited the group to a clinic at the Cypress facility where he works. Grohman has held the clinic there ever since, with the event this past July marking the 10th edition. He said the years have passed quickly because hosting clinics for physically challenged golfers is fun for him. “When you see how much joy participants get, how could you not [be involved]?,” he said. “They’re just awesome,” Grohman said of the participants – 26 campers from the Junior Blind of America’s Camp Bloomfield plus two local residents – in this summer’s junior blind clinic. Each of Grohman’s clinics is different as he continually brings in new people. This spring, for instance, he learned about Kyle Lograsso, the 8-year-old golfing phenom who lost an eye to cancer. Kyle is the son of active duty Gunnery Sergeant Jeff Lograsso and lives near Murrietta. Grohman called them and they came to help out. Bill Davis, an accomplished Southern California triathelete and world champion golfer who is legally blind, was enthusiastic when Grohman contacted him. Davis is a key part of the group Grohman refers to as “the team,” a network of a dozen Southern California PGA pros and others who call on one another to staff clinics across the region. Among those at the junior blind clinic were Pete Lowrey, who fabricates golf clubs to help physically handicapped people make solid contact with the ball, and photographer Eddie Meeks. Only with the help of management and staff at Navy Golf Course and active community groups, Grohman said, are the clinics possible. Volunteers from the Tiger Woods Learning Center, First Tee of South Los Angeles, Johnson Junior Golf, USBGA, the Navy Golf Course’s Men’s and Ladies’ Clubs, and Guide Dogs for the Blind assisted with July’s clinic. Grohman said that hosting the clinics fits with three of his personal commitments — use golf to give back, bring joy and connect with people. With 15 clinics completed so far in 2010, the experience continues to move him. ALSO SEE: Joe Grohman gives back for Patriot Golf Day On the Job: Joe Grohman |
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