The third annual ‘Wheeling and Able Golf Classic’ for the benefit of the Connecticut Chapter of the National Spinal Cord Injury Assn will tee-off 9 a.m., Sept. 10 at the Lyman Orchards Golf Club, Middlefield.
Some 100 or more golfers are expected to compete over the Lyman Orchards course to raise funds so Connecticut victims of spinal cord injuries will have greater access to the latest in a special system of rehabilitation technology known as Functional Electric Stimulation (FES).
In addition to on-site registration starting at 7:30 a.m. on tournament day, golfers may register in advance by contacting the Wheeling and Able Golf Classic, c/o the Eastern Rehabilitation Network in Newington at (860) 667-5480. The day-long tournament is open to the public and golfers may register as individuals or in foursomes. Funds will be raised through registration fees and corporate sponsorships.
"Nineteen foursomes have signed so far for this year’s tourney, which is well-ahead of last year’s pace" said Bill Mancini of West Hartford, president of the Connecticut Chapter, "and the welcome mat is out for more."
Proceeds will be used to upgrade four FES computer-driven stationary bicycles at various state locations, including one to be installed at the Valley-ShoreYMCA, Westbrook.The others are at the New Horizons Center, Farmington; University of Connecticut, Storrs, and the West Haven Community Resources Center. Mancini said he expects to have an FES machine on display at the Lyman Orchards Golf Club the day of the tournament.
Tourney play, from 9 a.m. (shotgun start, scramble formation) to 2 p.m., will be followed by an awards luncheon. Prizes will be awarded to first, second and third place foursomes (low gross), as well as winners of hole in one, long drive and closest-to-thepin competitions for men and women.
Honorary tournament chairman for the third year is Brad Field, chief meteorologist for WVIT-NBC TV 30, and Diane Smith of WTIC-AM 1080’s morning news talk show, is an honorary committee member. Mancini pointed out that funds raised will stay in Connecticut to help those who have suffered spinal cord injuries. The Connecticut chapter is funded solely by dues from its membership of about 300 and through charitable donations, he said. Institutional and corporate support is always welcome, he added. Gino Mancini, at (203) 284-1045, is the chapter’s vice-president for development.
The four stationary FES bicycles to be upgraded as a result of the tournament represent the latest in high technology rehabilitation available for victims of spinal cord injuries. Under a system of computer-controlled electrical stimulation, developed some 20 years ago by Dr. Jerrold Petrofsky at Wright State University in Ohio, damaged spinal cords are bypassed and atrophied muscles are made to work again. Before FES, the spinal cord injured had to face dangerous complications such as osteoporosis, atrophied muscles and ulcers from sluggish blood flow because they could never exercise paralyzed muscles. Now, workouts on FES bicycles result in enhanced tone for paralyzed leg muscles, often increased sensation below the injury level, and improved cardiovascular benefits.
For further information on the Wheeling and Able Golf Classic or the Connecticut Chapter of the National Spinal Cord Injury Assn., call Bill Mancini at (860) 543-1815 or (203) 284-1045.
-30- submitted: 8/26/02 Edwin Matesky
Click here for the NSCIA CT''s FES Page!