Special Olympics Golf Skills...

[TimV]

Hopefully no one minds me posting this here. I am looking for donations of modern golf equipment for my Special Olympics Golf Skills Athletes here in Broward Co. Florida. I have sent this "letter" to about 16 different golf suppliers but have so far only heard back from one (which was a negative.) I am happy to answer any questions and provide other contacts to verify that this IS what it's for. If you are able to help just PM me. No worries if you can't or don't wish to. No problem if you feel this doesn't belong here or shouldn't be posted let me know and I'll take it down.

Here is the letter I've been sending out...

 

"Dear Sir / Madam,

I have become a Special Olympics Golf Skills Coach in Broward County Florida. Upon attending practices with the Special Olympics Athletes here it was obvious that they were ill equipped (literally) to succeed. Most of the athletes are working with equipment provided by the Broward County Chapter and much of it is 30 years old or older. Most participants are forced to use equipment that a normal weekend golfer would find very challenging to play at best. I hope to be able to put together ‘Skill Sets’ for our athletes for next season (mid-May to early Sept.) that will make the challenges easier for them. This would not only give them a better chance to succeed in the Golf Skills Program but also to progress to the Golf Play Program if they wished. Any and all equipment donations will be greatly appreciated but I am specifically looking for the following equipment (new or used) in both Right and Left Handed (we have a lot of Left Handed participants,) in Regular, Senior, and Ladies Flexes, with graphite or lighter weight steel shafts when possible…

Drivers: 330cc volume or greater in 12 degrees or higher lofts

Fairway Woods: 16 to 18 degrees lofts

Hybrids: 20 to 24 degrees loft

Irons: 5, 7, & 9 Irons

Wedges: in approx. 52 degrees, 56 degrees, and 60 degrees

Putters: Mallet, Semi-Mallet, and Anser Style

*Complete clubs or components are fine as we have the ability to assemble clubs.

Grips are also sought as shortening clubs will help many of our athletes.

Carry Bags, Stand Bags, Tees, Practice Balls and all other Golf Equipment would also be appreciated.

If I am able to put together 10 Club Sets based on this (Driver, Fairway, Hybrid, 5, 7, & 9 irons, 52*, 56*, 60*, Putter) our Special Olympics Athletes will have a much greater chance of succeeding in their Skills Challenges (Wood & Iron Driving, Short & Long Putt, Chip and Pitch) and will also have a solid Playing Set should they qualify to graduate to the Playing Group.

I am happy to answer any questions you may have and truly appreciate your consideration.

Sincerely,

Timothy R. Vice

Margate FL 33063"

 

Most of our participants are forced to be "Vintage Players" due to the equipment available to them. Although I personally love playing vintage this is truly a detriment to these "kids" who already are at a disadvantage. I have already given several clubs away to various participants and have seen immediate improvement with having a superior "tool for the job." Larger Heads, Higher Lofts, Lower COG, Shorter Lengths, and Lighter Overall Weight are these Special Olympic Athlete's friends.

 

P.S.

I mention this because I was asked...

If you would like to contribute but don't have equipment we need and/or shipping costs would be prohibitive eBay, Rock Bottom Golf, or Dick's Sporting Goods Gift Certificates would be appreciated as well.

Anything of that nature would be used solely towards equipment for our participants.

Your Support is Appreciated.

Thanks,

Tim

[augustgolf]

First off...my hat is off to you for your participation in this endeavor.

 

Secondly, most of my stuff is pretty much vintage, but I will dig around to see if there is anything that you might find usable. I don't want to send you junk or something that won't be applicable for your purposes.

 

That being said.

 

QUOTE: Most participants are forced to use equipment that a normal weekend golfer would find very challenging to play at best"

 

I believe that applies to most all of us, no matter the age of the equipment....just sayin'

[dcopp7]

I have a set of Ram Accubars I would donate. Let me know via PM

[baloo]

I don't own any modern stuff. But I'll keep an eye out at thrift stores next time I'm out. Sometimes some decent, modern ish stuff pops up.

 

Keep up the great work!

[Ryan3773]

Just going to bump this up to the top.

[Swingingk]

This is a great cause, and bravo for getting involved Tim. I wish I could help but I don't have much to offer and with the cost of shipping from Canada I might as well drive the stuff down to you. Have you tried posting this in the New Equipment forum? Keep up the good work!

[oldschoolrocker]

BZ Tim,

I may have a few items that are not too ancient to be of value to you. I’ll check and will be looking at the thrifts for things also.

[TimV]

Spent the Holiday weekend picking up and cleaning up clubs and filling in sets for our Special Olympics Golf Skills Group.

Received a nice mailer from Dick's Sporting Goods today with some vouchers to use for equipment and discount coupons to give to our participants. Thought that was very good of them.

Should you have anything you wish to contribute just message me for my address.

Thanks and Keep Swinging,

Tim

[TimV]

Thanks to all the kind donations from the WRX and Local Communities I have been able to assemble 17 sets of golf clubs for our Broward County Special Olympics Golf Skills Team! I Thank You All So Much for Your Kind Support!

*I will now ask the Mods to close this thread.

[Hateto3Putt]

Thanks to all the kind donations from the WRX and Local Communities I have been able to assemble 17 sets of golf clubs for our Broward County Special Olympics Golf Skills Team! I Thank You All So Much for Your Kind Support!

*I will now ask the Mods to close this thread.

 

Before you do that, PM me your address so I can send you some new grips.

 

Hopefully the kids will be wearing out the old ones at a rapid pace!

 

 

[Hateto3Putt]

The site says you can not receive any new messages.

Very kind of you. I went through a huge number already replacing grips on used clubs and adjusting lengths.

Address: Tim

Thanks,

Tim

 

I have recorded your address if you don't want it "out there".

 

I have no idea why I wasn't allowed a PM.

[TimV]

Me either. I have run into it before though. I'm not sure if you need to clear out your message cache or ???

I will take down the post with my address. Perhaps you can send me a PM.

Thanks,

Tim

[WoodHeads]

Is it possible to send things directly to the SO for your athletes? I just find it a bit unusual to see a request from an individual, since the organization would be able to provide the non-profit donation letter for anything received. Anyway, if you're willing to pay the shipping, I have clubs I can send.

[TimV]

Absolutely. The reason I have posted and handled things is that...

A) I'm trying to get equipment specifically for the Broward Co Golf Skills Team which I am one of the Coaches of.

B) The organization is not proactive in seeking donations.

Please work through this link to donate directly...

https://specialolymp...da.org/broward/

I have been working with the Broward Program Coordinator Michelle Leonardo. You can contact her through the link listed here...

https://specialolymp...ard/contact-us/

and check with her in regard to my legitimacy. My full name is Timothy Vice. They just picked up 17 sets of golf clubs from me today.

I would actually appreciate you making any donation directly to the organization at this time as we just got a lot of our condo space back which I'd been using to store clubs in while I sorted, adjusted lengths, regripped, etc. etc.

Thanks,

Tim

[Hateto3Putt]

Hey Tim,

 

I just dropped off a priority mail package full of grips. Post office said that you will have them Friday.

 

Also, I cleaned out my inbox. I have no idea how many messages were rejected because it was full!

 

Enjoy the turkey!

[TimV]

Thank You Sir!

[TheMarvelousOne]

Love what you're doing man! I have a 9yr old special needs daughter (which I'm finally legally adopting this month!!) so this hits home. I can't get her interested in golf for the life of me! LOL. We'll go out to the course and she just wants to throw/roll the ball into the cup. Oh well! If I come across anything, you can count on me to send it your way!

[TimV]

I get more from these "Kids" than I feel like I'm giving them. I love being able to help as they are genuine and pure and let you know they appreciate you. The world would be a better place if we could all be that way.

Thanks,

Tim