by Rebecca E. Tonn

An adaptive golf cart for wounded Soldiers, veterans, retirees or Purple Heart recipients has been donated to Fort Carson's Cheyenne Shadows Golf Club by the Fort Carson Officers' Spouses' Club.

"We want Soldiers to know that one cart is already at the golf club and available for them to use," said Tracie Modrell, first vice president of FCOSC.

The officers' spouses' club will host a "Golf Carts fore Purple Hearts Celebrity Golf Tournament" Aug. 20, to raise money to purchase five more adaptive carts. The carts have an electric swivel stand-up seat, seat belt and ergonomic hand controls.

Amy Howard, advisor of FCOSC, said, "Our goal is to enhance Soldiers' quality of life and physical therapy, as well as provide them with a return to a sense of normalcy."

According to the FCOSC Web site, these golf carts will allow a player full access to all areas of the golf course, including greens and bunkers, without the player having to exit the cart. A player who is not able to walk may swing a club and use the cart as his or her base.

"We've had the most amazing support. Business people in the Colorado Springs and Pueblo communities have been excited about this (tournament to raise money for the golf carts)," Howard said.

"Our goal is to have 24 five-person teams. Corporate sponsors may send three people to golf on a team and we will supply them with a combat veteran and a celebrity," Modrell said.

Call the pro shop at (719) 526-4102 to make sure an adaptive cart is available on a specific day. There is no charge for use of the cart.

For more information about Golf Carts fore Purple Hearts Celebrity Golf Tournament or the Fort Carson Officers' Spouses' Club go to www.fc-osc.com. To participate in the tournament or be a sponsor contact the FCOSC at fc_osc@yahoo.com.