The 70th Michigan Adaptive Golf Championship, hosted at Hawk Hollow Golf Club in Bath Township, Michigan, from July 25–27, brought together adaptive golfers from across North America for a weekend of fierce competition. Friday’s opening scramble kicked off the action with over 130 competitors, while Saturday and Sunday featured a grueling 36‑hole stroke play format that tested both skill and endurance.
For many participants, traditional handicaps and standard tee times were replaced by adaptive rules and custom support systems–leveraging prosthetics, modified swings, wheelchairs or specialized grips, which spotlighted not just talent, but innovation and grit. The Championship wasn’t just about scores; it was about redefining the limits of sport under physical adversity.
Final round is Sunday…come on out and be amazed!
#golf #adaptivegolf #adaptivesportsBrotherhood & Sisterhood in Briefing
Michigan Amputee Golf Association president Bryan Biagioli, a 25‑year veteran, summed it up best: “It’s an opportunity not only to play golf, but to be with your peers. … It’s like a brotherhood, sisterhood … the camaraderie is second to none.” That sense of mutual understanding underpinned every round, every handshake, and every shared moment on the greens.
Lansing’s Brian Bemis, a two-time champion and recently placed fifth, added: “We need golf. Golf keeps us sane. … Coming out here and finding understanding … play at a high level.” His words underscore how adaptive golf serves as both sport and sanctuary–fueling focus, resilience, and mental clarity.
Among standout stories, Danny Wiseman of Haslett delivered a poignant reflection after finishing third. He highlighted the emotional uplift that comes from shared stories: “You hear some great stories out here. … It’s hard to be in a bad mood playing with any of these guys. … They’re out here playing golf and competing. … pretty uplifting.” For Wiseman and many others, competitive spirit coexists with empathy and shared resilience.
Bemis reflected on life-altering challenges: “Whether you have cancer, an accident, or something life-altering, doesn’t mean that life is over, that your athletic career is over. … with groups like the Michigan [Amputee] Golf Association and others in the USGA … it’s been fantastic.” Their participation highlights how adaptive golf can offer a new chapter–not an end–to athletic ambition.
Organizational Muscle & National Scope
This Championship was the first time Hawk Hollow hosted the event, and the Michigan Amputee Golf Association (MAGA) delivered on its mission to empower golfers with physical challenges through structured competition and community support. Aligned with the U.S. Adaptive Golf Alliance, MAGA hosts a full slate of adaptive tournaments across the country–Michigan’s being one of dozens ranked under its USAGA schedule for 2025.
The scale and consistency of these events speak to the growing recognition and institutional support behind adaptive athletics. They’re not niche; they’re integral to how sport evolves to be truly inclusive.
Kim Moore Reclaims U.S. Adaptive Open Title
Leading into Michigan’s 70th Adaptive Golf Championship was already historic–thanks to PGA of America Golf pro Kim Moore’s record-setting win at the U.S. Adaptive Open. Representing Battle Creek, Michigan, Moore returned to the winner’s circle–her second time claiming the title.
She speaks with the media after winning at Woodmont.
The tournament took place in Maryland, where Moore made a beautiful comeback. Three strokes behind after Round 2, she steadied herself with a solid final‑round 75 to overtake then‑leader Cassie Sengul.
Moore’s victory marked a milestone: she became the first woman to win the event twice, first claiming the inaugural title in 2022 at Pinehurst and now again at Woodmont. At 44, the PGA of America Golf Professional and Western Michigan University women’s coach embodied patience and resilience, bouncing back from an 83 in Round 2 with focused determination in the final round.
Men’s U.S. Adaptive Open Champion
Kipp Popert, a 27-year-old from England, delivered a masterclass at the U.S. Adaptive Open, securing his third consecutive men’s overall title with a record-breaking 24‑under‑par 192–an astounding 12 strokes ahead of runner-up Simon Lee. His opening round was an astonishing 11‑under‑par 61, toppling his own previous scoring record from last year.
Diagnosed with cerebral palsy at birth and recently recovering from his 12th foot surgery, Popert played just four holes during his practice round. Still, he dominated the field with discipline and poise, joining an elite club as only the fourth male golfer in USGA history to win the same championship three or more years in a row, alongside legends like Tiger Woods and Carl Kauffmann.
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