Teeing it High and Letting it Fly: National/Hoffman Estates Playhouse partners with Inverness Golf Club 

At GiGi’s, our Playhouses offer purposeful, FREE programs that change our participants’ lives. We also offer programs designed to take our participants outside of our Playhouse walls and into their communities.  

These programs don’t just help our participants; they help community members with no ties to Down syndrome gain exposure, interact, and build meaningful relationships with people of ALL abilities. To put it simply, these programs build acceptance.  

This is part of a multi-part blog series highlighting how local Playhouses are partnering with organizations in their communities to build and promote inclusion. 

Teeing it High and Letting it Fly: National/Hoffman Estates Playhouse partners with Inverness Golf Club 

Josh Pius threw down the gauntlet. 

Pius, the head PGA golf professional at Inverness Golf Club, a private, member-owned club in Inverness, IL, started off his group golf camp the same way he tries to start every lesson – with a fun challenge. 

Since the day’s lesson focused on pitching and chipping, Pius had a simple proposition for the seven participants who joined him on the chipping green: whoever managed to chip the ball into the hole first would win a prize. 

And, just like that, all seven golfers began chipping away, vying to get the ball in the hole and win the coveted mystery prize. All the while, Pius continually stepped in to improve and correct each golfer’s form. 

It was an ordinary golf lesson.  

Yet to some, this lesson appeared to be anything but ordinary – all seven golfers Pius instructed are individuals with Down syndrome.  

THE FRONT NINE: SUNSHINE THROUGH GOLF MEETS GIGI’S PLAYHOUSE 

Pius has worked as the head PGA golf professional at Inverness for over ten years, and he’s been working with the Chicago District Golf Assocation’s (CDGA) Sunshine Through Golf Camp Program for even longer. 

Sunshine Through Golf partners with PGA professionals, CDGA member clubs, park districts, and the CDGA foundation to bring the game of golf to those with physical and mental challenges. The CDGA covers all costs associated with the program, including providing golf clubs for the participants. 

Though Pius and Inverness Golf Club have hosted Sunshine Through Golf camps for several years, in 2023 Inverness Golf Club started a relationship with GiGi’s Playhouse, the only network of Down Syndrome Achievement Centers. All seven golfers Pius instructed for the camp are participants at the National/Hoffman Estates Playhouse. 

GiGi’s Playhouse’s mission is to change the way the world views Down syndrome, making a relationship between GiGi’s and Sunshine Through Golf a natural fit, as Sunshine Through Golf wants to prove that individuals with disabilities can enjoy the game of golf. 

Tom Roth, who previously served as president of Inverness Golf Club, as well as Governor of the CDGA, was instrumental in getting GiGi’s involved at Inverness. Roth, an avid golfer and supporter of GiGi’s Playhouse, saw the value in GiGi’s participants gaining exposure to golf and all the challenges that come with it. 

“Golfers are the most optimistic people in the world,” Roth joked. “They have to be.” 

Roth’s assessment appeared to be right. Throughout the five-week golf camp, Pius’ up-beat attitude, patient demeanor, and insightful instruction were on full display. Pius’ weekly lessons alternated from chipping and pitching, to putting, to driving. 

Not only would Pius address and give instructions to the entire group, but throughout the hour-long lesson, he took the time to give one-on-one instruction to each golfer from GiGi’s, helping them with their swing mechanics and offering words of encouragement. 

But the participants from GiGi’s were not the only ones soaking up Pius’ expert instruction. 

“It’s amazing we have a professional opinion,” said Paula, whose son Nathan participated in the golf camp and is also a participant at GiGi’s. Paula was one of several parents paying close attention to Pius’ lesson plan, absorbing everything he had to say. 

Paula also shared how valuable it is that Pius took the time to truly instruct the participants and give them actionable feedback, something that individuals with disabilities don’t always experience. 

“You want them to be learning the fundamentals; you don’t just want a pat on the back,” Paula said. 

Paula was not the only parent enraptured by Pius’ lessons. Scott, whose son Nick also participated in the golf camp, was engaged in Pius’ demonstrations and offered a helping hand. Scott shared that he was thrilled with the program and that it offers individuals with Down syndrome the ability to continue to play golf long after the camp ends. 

“It’s a really good foundation of progression and building blocks,” Scott said. “Eventually, you can go on to play golf for the rest of your life.” 

Paula shared Scott’s sentiments, remarking that golf is a skill that often becomes beneficial later in life, whether it comes to closing business deals or maintaining adult friendships. 

THE BACK NINE: AN IMPACT THAT EXTENDS BEYOND THE PARTICIPANTS 

Inverness’ relationship with GiGi’s Playhouse isn’t merely one-sided. 

“The people at Inverness enjoy it just as much as the kids,” Roth said. Pius agreed with Roth’s sentiment, calling the weekly hour-long lessons “the best part of my day.”  

“Throughout the course of the day you just get pulled in so many directions, but when you come out here, it’s just so pure,” Pius said. “Everyone’s here to have fun. They’re soaking in every word.”

Pius detailed how rewarding it is to see the participants improve throughout the camp. According to Pius, many of the participants come into the camp “sort of unnerved.”  

“It’s an environment most of them have not been exposed to,” Pius said. “They come in not knowing if they can do it, but then through putting in effort, they realize that they can. It’s awesome to watch.”

“Now they come here, and they see ‘I can hit the ball onto the green’ or ‘I can hit a putt,’ and they gain confidence,” Pius said.  

In addition to confidence, Pius said there’s so much the participants at GiGi’s can learn from golf that goes well beyond the sport, whether that’s dedication or perseverance.  

Specifically, Pius highlighted Kiera, a participant who joined the camp for her second year in a row. Pius shared how incredible it’s been to watch Kiera’s improvement from year to year and how it’s a credit to her resiliency. 

At one point, Kiera hit a particularly great chip and Pius lit up even more. 

“Did you see that shot?” Pius exclaimed. “There are members who have played here for 30 years that can’t make that shot… that’s why this is the best hour of my day.” 

TALLYING UP THE SCORECARD: WRAPPING IT UP 

Eventually the hour-long pitching and chipping lesson ended. Pius concluded the lesson praising everyone’s improvement while also offering areas of improvement to focus on for the next lesson. 

In the end, there was no prize to give away – no one managed to chip the ball in the hole.  Despite this, spirits were high among the participants.  

Like true golfers, GiGi’s participants were optimistic they’d play better next time. 

Do you work for or know an organization that should partner with GiGi’s? We want to hear from you! Find a Playhouse in your community and reach out to them!  

Together, let’s change the world! 

All photos provide by Inverness Golf Club