PALM HARBOR, Fla. – A recently renovated golf course in Palm Harbor is making a big push to cater to blind and disabled veterans.
The Tarpon Woods Golf Course has become a place for wounded warriors to play golf, relax and even take lessons from LPGA player Jan Stephenson, who recently took over the course.
Stephenson has 16 LPGA Tour wins and three major championship wins but considers her work with the Crossroads Foundation to be the biggest accomplishment in her career. Stephenson tells ABC Action News she has been certified to teach blind and disabled veterans.
She and her business partners Michael and Diane Vandiver plan to use the 18-hole, par-72 course as a way to help veterans dealing with PTSD and other issues.
The club offers discounts to veterans and has sponsored several veterans events over the past several months.
Now they’re focused on making changes like sculpting the bunkers on the course to make them easier for veterans with prosthetics to access.
The Tarpon Woods Golf Course was recently designated a Purple Heart course. There are only five courses with the certification in the U.S., including two in Florida.
Stephenson’s goal is to help more veterans for generations to come by helping them enjoy the game of golf, despite their disabilities and challenges.
