Ryan Ely, an assistant professional at Hawk's Landing Golf Club at Orlando World Center Marriott Resort, desires a career in golf, despite having a left arm debilitated by the effects of cerebral palsy. He had struggled to pass the Playing Ability Test, part of a battery of requirements by the PGA of America for Class A membership.

With a nod to the Americans With Disabilities Act, "reasonable accommodations" were made, said Brian Whitcomb, the PGA's president. Faced with a shorter course and an understanding PGA, Ely's nine-year struggle to join the 28,000-member fraternity ended earlier this month.

"It's a great story of achievement, of perseverance, of accomplishment," said Mike Hodgins, director of golf at Hawk's Landing. "The PGA of America will be a better organization with Ryan in it."

Ely, 33, said he is "excited that it's all over with."

"My future is brighter with the PGA behind my name."

Ely grew up in Ellicott City, Md., and took up golf upon moving to Florida in the '90s. He graduated from Lynn University in 1997 and entered the golf business. He has worked at Hawk's Landing since '98.

Ely, a wiry 6 feet and 175 pounds who wears glasses and closely cropped hair, says he drives the ball about 225 yards, effectively swinging with his right arm. His underdeveloped left hand does little more than help steady the club on takeaway. He says he typically shoots in the 80s. But that hadn't been good enough to meet the PGA's target score for aspiring professionals.

Whitcomb stepped in. After a brief presentation at a recent board meeting, officers voted unanimously, Whitcomb said, to admit Ely.

"With his disabilities, he's more than proved his playing abilities," Whitcomb said.

Stuart Proctor, the golf operations supervisor at Hawk's Landing, sees a big future for Ely.

"It's going to help the game of golf," said Proctor, whose background includes having worked with blind golfers. "A lot of people with disabilities don't know they can play golf."

Ely acknowledges his role in a game struggling to attract new players.

"More than anything, it's showing people that this game is possible," he said.