Cleveland Clinic-Akron General Challenge Golf Course ☆ Follow

Challenge Golf Course at Cleveland Clinic Akron General in Akron, Ohio is a 9-hole, par 3 course featuring a distinctive 3-green design. Opened in 1992, it was the first golf facility in the nation designed specifically for persons with disabilities. The course spans a tree-lined property and allows golfers to select from three color-coded tee areas and target different flags on each green, accommodating players of varying skill levels.

The facility includes a comprehensive practice area with three sets of tees: the Big Tee with 10 grass tee stalls covering 300+ yards; the Hill tees with 8 stalls; and the Challenge tees designed specifically for golfers with disabilities featuring 8 mat stalls and target flags. Adjacent amenities include a putting green, chipping and pitching areas, and a Learning Center with an indoor hitting range that enables year-round instruction. All equipment is provided by the Cleveland Clinic Akron General Foundation, though golfers may use their own.

Developed by recreational therapists, the course serves as a rehabilitation and therapeutic resource for individuals recovering from strokes, spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, amputations, and neuromuscular disorders. The program has expanded to serve juniors, seniors, and golfers with various disabilities, visual impairments, and developmental challenges. Challenge Golf offers individual instruction, group classes taught by PGA Professionals, community programs, youth camps, and specialized clinics for conditions such as Parkinson's disease.