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<p><em>Story by Chris King</em></p>
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<p>Brandon Worley long dreamed of making a career in golf, but the upstate South Carolina native could never have imagined he would one day address a crowd of more than 100 players as part of a fundraising event to benefit a non-profit organization that he founded.</p>
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<p>The game has been Worley’s passion from a young age and after serving in the U.S. Army, he wanted to work in the sport he loves. He researched elite athletes &#8211; professional and collegiate &#8211; planning to break into the game via sports psychology.</p>
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<p>Then Worley volunteered to help at an introduction to golf clinic in 2018 that turned out to be for kids with special needs.</p>
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<p>“I had never heard of using golf as therapy,” Worley said of his day at the clinic. “My first student was an 8-year-old girl who was blind. I got to talk to her, gained her trust, got her in the right position [to hit the ball], and I tapped the ball so she could feel it. She hit the ball, and it went into the air down the fairway, and her mom was like, ‘That’s my baby girl!’ I looked up and there was so much excitement and joy in that moment. That’s what I was looking for [in a career].”</p>
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<p>He hung around after the clinic, talking to volunteers, many of whom were fellow war veterans who shared stories of how the clinics provided them a sense of fulfillment and helped alleviate their PTSD.</p>
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<p>Worley’s life changed that day.</p>
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<p>Soon after the clinic, he liquidated money he had saved and invested when he was deployed in Afghanistan and filed to create a 501 (c)(3).</p>
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<p><a href="http://Brandon Worley long dreamed of making a career in golf, but the upstate South Carolina native could never have imagined he would one day address a crowd of more than 100 players as part of a fundraising event to benefit a non-profit organization that he founded">Carolina Adaptive Golf</a> (CAG) was born.</p>
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<p>The organization places a priority on helping adults and children battling autism, amputees and/or traumatic paralysis, Alzheimer’s, visual impairments, stroke survivors, spinal cord and brain injuries, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Cerebral Palsy and similar debilitating disorders, PTSD, and life-threatening illnesses with an emphasis on disabled veterans and special needs populations.</p>
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<p>With a goal of serving adults and children, <a href="https://ucagnow.org/">Carolina Adaptive Golf</a> launched its first program in Greenville, S.C. in 2019, serving 74 people in 16 events. While the number of players that first year was modest, the seeds for growth, in an underserved market, were planted.</p>
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<p>In 2020, 174 golfers participated in <a href="https://ucagnow.org/">Carolina Adaptive Golf</a> programs, a number that grew to 500 (‘21), 807 (‘22) and 1,650 (‘23) in subsequent years. With the demand for its programs surging, CAG has expanded throughout the Carolinas, and Myrtle Beach, with a growing population and an affinity for golf, was a natural location.</p>
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<p>Worley has prioritized responsible expansion, making sure not to spread a tight budget to thin, and Founders Group International, Myrtle Beach’s largest golf course ownership group, has stepped up to help ensure CAG enjoys smooth entry into the market.</p>
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<p>The relationship between FGI and CAG teed off at a fundraising event at TPC on February 24, a day that was full of good times that benefitted a great cause, and it’s only the beginning for Carolina Adaptive Golf in Myrtle Beach.</p>
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<p>FGI, which owns 21 area golf courses, will be hosting CAG’s first adaptive summer camp at TPC, followed by a fall series at World Tour. As part of Worley’s efforts, he has worked to make sure coaches are trained and certified, ensuring a quality experience for participating campers.</p>
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<p>While many of us shake our heads in disgust at the frustration golf causes, never take for granted the opportunity it provides to enjoy camaraderie with friends, spend time outdoors, and get some exercise, attributes that are therapeutic. That is doubly the case when one is battling life’s challenges.</p>
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<p>If you are interested in learning more about <a href="https://ucagnow.org/">Carolina Adaptive Golf,</a> volunteering time or donating money, please visit <a href="https://ucagnow.org/">UCAGnow.org</a>.</p>
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