“Adapt and Overcome” takes center stage at golf clinic
National Disabled Veterans Golf Clinic
By Bryan Clark, Communications Specialist
The 2026 National Disabled Veterans Golf Clinic brought Veterans from across the country to the Riverside, Iowa area from September 14-23, continuing a legacy of providing rehabilitation, physical therapy, and adaptive sports.
Participants were Veterans with blindness or limited vision, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, limb loss and other life-changing injuries.
DAV (Disabled American Veterans) and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) co-presented the six-day clinic with support from businesses, nonprofit organizations, and individual donors.
Candice Caesar attended this year’s event for the first time. As a walking quadriplegic without feeling on the left side of her body, Caesar struggled finding a swing that didn’t hurt or throw off her balance. Then the golf instructor for the clinic suggested a Solo Rider.
“You have a Solo Rider? Like, I can be stood up and braced, and I could try this again? And they did it. And then they said, ‘Let's try something different. Let's try a back handed swing.’ And so that's what I need. I needed somebody to think outside the box,” said Caesar.
More than 400 volunteers and VA staff donated their time and efforts to the event, which was hosted by the Iowa City VA Health Care System.
Helping Veterans build and maintain motivation for healthy living
In its 33rd year, the adaptive sporting event evolved from an event focused on blind and visually impaired Veterans in Eastern Iowa to serve a larger and more diverse population of Veterans, including those with spinal cord and traumatic brain Injuries and other life altering disabilities. Helping disabled Veterans overcome challenges and adapt to their new lifestyle is a primary focus of the golf clinic.
"We just don't quit, you know? That's just not in the military vocabulary." said Devora Exline, who uses the VA Maryland Health Care System. “You can do anything you put your mind to. A lot of healing does come through your mind and being positive about things. And always look for another option, you know, because the one that may be given to you is not the only one.”
Throughout the week, Veterans witnessed the transformative power of adaptive sports as they participated in golf instruction from PGA and LPGA professionals, culminating in a best ball scramble where participants practiced the skills they have learned during the event.
Next year’s National Disabled Veterans Golf Clinic will be September 12 – 17, 2027 in Riverside, Iowa. To learn more about the National Disabled Veterans Golf Clinic, visit veteransgolfclinic.org.
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