Freedom Golf Association charity event in June

The Freedom Golf Association, which provides free lessons for disabled golfers, is holding its fifth annual charity event at Cog Hill Golf & Country Club on Monday, June 8.

Chairman E.Q. Sylvester of Hinsdale said the outing raised $100,000 last year. The proceeds go help individuals with physical, developmental and sensory disabilities.

Individuals can register at fgagolf.org/outing. The cost is $200 for an individual and $750 for a team of four. A spectator nonparticipation ticket (which includes admission to the post-golf party and auction) is $50.

Sylvester nearly died from complications of sepsis in 2011. He had both legs amputated below the knees and lost most of both hands. Unable to find an organization that could help him play golf again, the now 80-year-old Sylvester founded the FGA in 2012.

The FGA provided golf instruction for 3,247 participants last year, Sylvester said, and he expects that number to exceed 5,000 in 2018.

"There are two constraints that prevent the disabled to get on the golf course," Sylvester said. "One is they don't know where to find professional golf instruction. And that's what we provide.

"The second is to make golf courses more accessible. We've also done that - there are now over 40 golf courses in Chicagoland that are accessible and willing to accept the disabled on their golf courses."