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WIU alumna Carol Brick, left, is pictured with her MDH physical therapy assistant Lori Fox at Harry Mussatto Golf Course this week, golfing with the aid of an accessible cart.
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WIU Golf Equipment Helps Get Physical Therapy Patient Back on Course

September 27, 2013

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MACOMB, IL – When 1963 Western Illinois University alumna Carol Brick, of Macomb, broke her hip five years ago she thought her love of playing golf was over.

But thanks to an accessible golf cart, owned by the Harry Mussatto Golf Course at Western, Carol is back swinging a golf club as part of her physical therapy through McDonough District Hospital (MDH). The SoloRider cart can drive right up on the golf course's greens, and the seat swivels and adjusts to stabilize the golfer during his or her swing.

Brick, a retired elementary school teacher, has been working with MDH physical therapy assistant Lori Fox to return range of motion after her latest of three hip surgeries. She has been golfing about once a week for the past month.

"We found out a SoloRider was available at WIU, and the staff here has been so great in helping us to get out on the course," Fox said.

Prior to finding the adaptive equipment available at Western, Brick said her last golf game was five years ago.

"The SoloRider is all hand operated so it took some getting used to," Brick said. "It goes onto the greens…it goes into the traps too, but we haven't had to do that yet. I appreciate the efforts of everyone who helped me get back to a hobby I love. My physical therapist has been so instrumental in getting me out there; she is very important to this process."

Mel Blasi, director of golf at the Harry Mussatto Golf Course, said WIU has owned the accessible cart since 2008.

"We are so excited to have Carol come out and use the SoloRider," he said. "Carol always has an enthusiasm and love for the game of golf. The SoloRider offers her the opportunity to continue to enjoy the game, the outdoors and the wonderful social aspects of the golf course."

Brick said she fell in love with golf thanks to her late husband, William Brick, who is also a graduate of Western. He received his bachelor's degree in 1963 and his master's degree in 1966. He was a member of the WIU golf team and has been inducted into the WIU Athletics Hall of Fame. He was also the former golf coach at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville before moving to Macomb to become a financial aid officer at Western.

For more information about the Harry Mussatto Golf Course, visit wiu.edu/student_services/golf_course/.

Posted By: Jodi Pospeschil (JK-Pospeschil@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing