Not just a golf cart: It's a mulligan on wheels

Larry Cook couldn't play his beloved golf for 15 years because of a deteriorating back condition that caused severe weakness in his legs.

Then he learned about adaptive carts that allow people with mobility problems to swing golf clubs from seats that swivel around to the side and extend forward.

The carts can even be driven onto greens without damaging turf because of their light weight and equalized distribution.

"I had a passion to play the game, and suddenly I saw hope that I could get back out on the golf course," said Larry, 50, of Collinsville, a minister with Freedom Worship Center.

Today, he plays two or three times a week at Arlington Greens, a public course between Collinsville and Granite City that's operated by Collinsville Area Recreation District.

The district bought a Swift Single Rider Golf Cart about a year ago. It can be rented just like standard, two-seat models and operated with handlebar controls.

"Our goal is to serve the needs of everybody in the district," said Elizabeth Davis, marketing and communications coordinator. "So that includes people with special needs."

Larry played nine holes of golf last week with his wife, Elaine, and friend Dany Baker, 52, of Coffeen, a former federal employee and high-school golf coach.

Dany was partially paralyzed from the waist down in a 1993 car accident. He found leg braces didn't work too well on the golf course.

"It was so much of a struggle because I couldn't walk," said Dany, who gets around in a wheelchair. "My legs could bear a little weight, but I was mainly using my upper body."

Larry and Dany not only golf with Swift carts; they have become sales representatives for Scansco Product Source, the Colorado company that manufacturers them.

Dany has a model with a hydraulic-lift seat, which allows him to stand nearly upright while driving and putting. Both men travel around the country, leading golf clinics, playing in tournaments and giving talks on adaptive equipment for people with disabilities.

"I feel like I got a second lease on life (by surviving the car accident), and I'm going to enjoy myself," Dany said.

During the recent golf game at Arlington, Elaine drove a regular two-seat cart while Larry and Dany drove single-rider carts.

The men teed off like everyone else, except they did it from their swivel seats (Larry gets off and leans.) They used standard golf clubs, which are strapped to the front for easy access.

Elaine had to park her cart and walk to greens while Larry and Dany rode, but she didn't mind. The 46-year-old seamstress is just glad to be back playing golf with her husband.

"Now he can actually participate in a sport himself," Elaine said. "He's not just a spectator anymore. When you have an athletic person who can't get out and play, they get depressed."

Larry and Dany spend much of their time trying to educate the public on adaptive carts and encouraging golf courses to make them available to disabled patrons.

The carts also can benefit senior citizens who want to stay in the game with arthritis, knee replacements and other mobility problems.

"It's not just a golf cart," Dany said. "People can use it for fishing, hunting and other recreational purposes."

Arlington Greens is at 200 Arlington Drive in Granite City. For more information on using its adaptive cart, call 931-5332.

Swift carts cost about $5,000. For more information, contact Larry Cook at (573) 631-8558 or Dany Baker at (217) 343-1456 or visit the Web site at www.swiftgolfcarts.com.