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The City of Hamilton Offers Disabled Golfers a Chance to Play With Unique Cart

By Brent Long (May 2011)

The City of Hamilton’s two public golf courses have a terrific solution for would-be golfers with a physical challenge or disability who wish they could
still play golf.

Chedoke Civic Golf Club and King’s Forest Golf Club, a top-100 course in Canada, are looking to expand their single rider electric car program for 2011.

“We just need to get the word out. If we can create some awareness and get some more people out to try them, I think word of mouth will tell the story,”
says Head Professional Mark Arnett. “They’re also great for seniors, who just need a little assistance from time to time.”

The SoloRider golf car provides the solution for mobility impaired individuals who have played golf in the past and want to play again despite the mobility
loss. The car features a nearly universal tilt swivel seat that enables a full arc golf swing from the assisted-standing position.

“It’s a sweet ride, smoother than our golf carts,” says Arnett, who rents them out for $20 for a round, which is a steal compared to the initial $10,000
cost to purchase one. The SoloRider difference is a golf car that you can drive onto greens and tees with no impact to turf. When compared with other golf
cars, it is also the safest golf car on the market and travels the same speed. This golf car actually has a lower PSI than a standing person on the green!

Other area clubs with SoloRider golf cars include; Flamborough Hills Golf Club and Legends on the Niagara. Frank Peter, a City of Hamilton employee, also
acts as the Canadian distributor for SoloRider, having purchased his first one in 2005.

“I encourage people to come out and give it a try, they are so comfortable and so safe that it really makes the game fun to play,” he says. “It takes some
time to get a feel for them, but the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and being able to get out with your friends or other golfers are well worth it.”

Peter, who is paralyzed from the waist down, estimated he played about 75 rounds of golf in 2010 with the assistance of SoloRider. He even had a hole in
one while playing the Battlefield course at Legends on the Niagara in April 2008. He says that with the introduction of the Accessibility for Ontarians
with Disabilities Act (AODA) a few years ago, golf courses need to provide equal opportunity for everyone who wants to play golf. He said several Ontario
municipalities which operate public courses including; London, Brantford and Toronto are reviewing materials and that the City of Mississauga is committed
to purchasing two single rider vehicles for Lakeview GC and BraeBen this year.

Reproduced from http://www.fairwaysgolf.ca/article.php?id=2149