Matt Cook, PGA Professional at Rose Creek Golf Course, didn't set out to revolutionize golf in Fargo. He just wanted to help a friend.
Larry, an avid golfer and friend of Matt's father, had been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Over time, the disease limited his ability to do the things he loved most—including golf. Larry transitioned to life in a wheelchair, but still had the desire to play. Matt knew there had to be a way to get him back on the course.
That conversation sparked a journey that would transform Rose Creek Golf Course into a destination for adaptive golfers across the Fargo/Moorhead region.
Rose Creek's first step into adaptive golf, before the VertaCat, came through a partnership with their local park district. They invested in seated adaptive equipment, hoping to give Larry and others a path back to the game. But the equipment had drawbacks.
"For Larry, I think he was hoping that he'd be able to play to the ability he had before his illness," Matt said.
Larry wanted what every golfer wants—to stand and address the ball, to feel the full motion of his swing, to play the way he could before. The equipment they'd acquired couldn't give him that. It served some players well, particularly those with knee or hip issues who needed assistance getting around the course.
But for people like Larry, who'd lost significant muscle function and desperately wanted to stand and play again, it fell short.
Later on, Chris and Kelly Mapes from Dare 2 Stand Out approached Rose Creek. Chris's brother Danny had been playing golf from a wheelchair for years, transferring in and out of a regular cart for every single shot. The Mapes wanted to create better options for adaptive golfers, and they saw potential in what Rose Creek had started.
Together, they brought in Rose Creek's first VertaCat.
"That VertaCat was a true game changer," Matt says. "It's a very adaptive golf cart that will accommodate youth and adults.”
The VertaCat could fit players of all sizes and abilities, from young teens to adults in their sixties and beyond. It addressed safety concerns Matt hadn't even thought about with previous equipment. And it gave players like Larry the chance to stand and swing freely, just like they'd always remembered.
For Rose Creek, the VertaCat opened new opportunities.
Players who'd been sitting on their knees to hit shots—like Kolton, a young golfer who participates in the local Hope Inc. adaptive programs—could now stand and swing freely.
Veterans with spinal cord injuries found they could keep pace with their buddies in regular carts. People who thought their golfing days were over started booking tee times again.
And eventually, quality of life improved, too.
"It's not just about recreation and sports." Matt recalled a story he heard about a user of the VertaCat, "the man shared that the VertaCat allowed him to hug his wife in a standing position for the first time in years.”
Rose Creek partnered with Hope Inc., a local nonprofit providing sports and recreation opportunities for individuals with mobility challenges. What started as small practice range sessions grew into evening classes that drew adults from miles away. People who'd been searching for a place that could accommodate them finally had one.
The response from adaptive golfers was overwhelming. They're not looking for charity or special treatment. They're looking for the same thing every golfer wants: a chance to play the game they love.
"The individuals I've worked with are seeking independence," Matt says. "They do not look for any assistance. It's like, I got this. I can do this."
Rose Creek now has two VertaCats, and seeks to expand their inventory. They're also exploring the possibility of building a short course specifically designed for adaptive programming (similar to The Loop at Chaska), creating a dedicated space where players can learn, practice, and play without competing for tee times during peak hours.
But Matt's vision extends beyond Rose Creek. He wants to see adaptive equipment at every course in the region, so players don't have to drive hundreds of miles for a single round of golf.
"I would wholeheartedly embrace it," Matt says when asked what he'd tell other course managers considering adaptive equipment like the VertaCat. "It's a great opportunity to build our community and to be life changers—to really bring back something that maybe an individual either hasn't experienced or has lost at some point."
The path forward requires continued partnerships with organizations like Hope Inc. and Dare 2 Stand Out, consistent programming to build awareness, and a commitment to making golf accessible for everyone who wants to play.
For Matt, the work is personal. He's watched players light up when they realize they can swing a club again. He's seen families reconnect over a round of golf they thought was impossible. And he's learned that making the game accessible isn't just good for the community—it's what golf courses should be doing.
"You think of stories like that and it even goes beyond golf," Matt reflects. "Those are life changers."
If you're curious about what adaptive golf could look like at your facility, connect with us about demo and partnership opportunities or reach out to course near you who already has a VertaCat.