Walk to help wounded veterans play golf

The Honor Wounded Vets 5K Run/Walk coming to Oak Brook in October is a way to give disabled people the opportunity to do what their able-bodied peers do - play golf - said Sally Ruekling of Freedom Golf Association, the organization sponsoring the walk.

Designed to honor veterans who have been wounded in their service to the country and raise funds to support adaptive golf programs for these individuals, the event starts with registration at 7:45 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 15, at McDonald's Corporate Campus, 2915 Jorie Blvd.

The event will include timed and untimed tracks in men's, women's and wheelchair divisions.

Additional activities include vendor booths, chipping and putting demonstrations, a contest to drive onto a floating green and the opportunity to take a self-guided tour of McDonald's Hamburger University. Live music will be provided by the Elmhurst College Jazz Band.

Participants of all ages can learn more and register at www.fgagolf.org.

The Honor Wounded Vets 5K Run/Walk is open to the public, including able-bodied runners and walkers and those with special needs.

Its purpose is to acknowledge Illinois' wounded vets, a growing number of whom have taken up golf to enjoy its physical, emotional and social benefits.

As a fundraiser for FGA, the event also supports FGA's adaptive golf programs, which include golf clinics and lessons, the training of adaptive golf coaches and advocacy to make more golf courses accessible to special needs players.

"We're proud to host this special event," said E.Q. Sylvester, chairman of the Freedom Golf Association.

"The veteran community - as a group of dedicated players and coaches - has embraced adaptive golf wholeheartedly."

For more information about the Freedom Golf Association, visit www.fgagolf.org and the online newsroom at www.newsline360.com/freedomgolfassociation.

Contact FGA by phone at (855) 342-4465 or (630) 455-6018, or by email at playgolf@fgagolf.org.