| When Sonny Ackerman lost his leg in 1984 he felt his golfing days were over. In truth, they were just beginning. The first time Sonny went back onto the golf course after his accident and tried swinging a golf club he fell flat on his face. He quickly realized that if he were going to play golf again that he would have to adapt his game. And that is what he did. Unfortunately for Sonny, he had to teach himself. There was no one that he could find that was able to give him advice or help him in anyway. But Sonny didn't let that stop him. In fact, Sonny became a better golfer than he was prior to his accident. Sonny won three US Senior National Amputee Championships and three Canadian Senior National Amputee Championships.
Sonny Ackerman wasn't motivated by winning National Championships though. For Sonny being able to teach other people how to get their lives get back together was one his proudest accomplishments. Sonny use to say " I think the Good Lord said Ol' Boy, you've been playing for thirty years and now your going to do something for me" and that's exactly what he did.
From that moment on Sonny followed his dream of making golf available to everyone: stroke victims, amputees, mentally challenged, blind, arthritic, those with muscular dystrophy and individuals who were in wheelchairs. He realized that these individuals could enjoy golf if given the correct instruction, motivation and opportunity to do so. Golf was a game that had many inherent benefits. It helped improve balance, hand-eye coordination, strengthen muscles in the arms, legs and hands and most importantly it got individuals out into the fresh air.
Over the past twenty years Sonny trained literally thousands of recreational and occupational therapists as well as PGA pros. Over the years, he has also taught over 15,000 physically challenged pupils. Sonny knew there was a world full of people that faced adversity whose lives could be changed through golf. His love for golf and people enabled him to make a difference. His goal was about giving hope to the physically challenged.
Oliver Perry "Sonny" Ackerman, Jr. died January 20th, 2006. His legacy and dream will be carried on through the Adaptive Golf Foundation which he founded. Some people make the world brighter just by being in it. Sonny was one of those special people. We will miss his presence on the greens, but his influence on the game will continue. |
