In the small town of Luck, Wisconsin, the local golf course tells a story.
It’s a story that every golf course should hear.
Four golfers who thought their playing days were fading away are now on the course every week, sharing one piece of adaptive equipment.
How? Because of Howard Kreck, a golfer with ALS who refused to let his diagnosis keep him from the game he loves.
Here's Howard in action at Luck, where it all started:
Five years ago, Howard was diagnosed with ALS. The disease would progressively challenge his mobility. Three years after his diagnosis, at a disabled veterans golf tournament in Iowa, he discovered a piece of adaptive golf equipment that would change everything.
"I was talking to my neurologist and physical therapist about the adaptive cart I'd tried in Iowa, and I said, 'I really like this,'" Howard shares. "They looked into it and found the VertaCat, which is made in St. Paul. So I went and tried it, and they helped me get one. Then I brought it up to Luck."
The VA ultimately approved and funded the equipment—though the process took persistence.
Howard's medical team, including a recreational therapist, handled the paperwork and submitted it to a review board. “They're trying to make things better for us,” Howard reflects.
The approval meant everything—and the difference was immediate.
"Without it, I could still golf a little bit, but not many holes and I'd be completely exhausted," Howard explains. "Now I can play 18 holes and feel pretty darn good when I'm done."
When Howard brought the adaptive equipment to Luck Golf Course, word spread among disabled veterans in the area.
"Early last year, other people, disabled veterans started asking if they could use it. I've been letting them use it," Howard shares. "So, right now there's four of us using it. And between the four of us, we use it from 8 to 10 times a week."
Howard typically plays mornings while the others take afternoon slots. There's no complex reservation system, no charge beyond the regular round.
"To be able to help somebody that needs it like that—it's no big deal for me, but knowing it's helping other people enjoy the game, that really makes me feel good," Howard says.
Luck has just over 1,000 residents. Yet with one piece of adaptive equipment and zero marketing, four golfers are using it 8-10 times per week.
"There's got to be more people coming in. It's going to happen. It's just the word has got to get out and people got to know it's available," Howard says.
The challenge is awareness and accessibility.
Howard's story shows what's possible when funding sources like the VA step in. But not every golfer knows these options exist, and not every course understands the impact this investment could have.
"I don't see why more golf courses don't have them. It's either they don't know about it, or they're not familiar with it. Especially in the cities where you have a lot more people playing—this would be great to have there."
Players like Howard offer golf courses a new opportunity to grow their visibility. Howard just wants them to take that first step.
"That's one of the reasons I kind of just stay here. I don't really know where to go that has any kind of adaptive golf carts like we do," Howard admits.
Every golf course has members facing mobility challenges from age, injury, illness, or disability.
The need exists in your community.
As Howard puts it: "I really want to get these out there and let more people enjoy the game."
In Luck, Wisconsin, one piece of adaptive equipment is transforming lives and strengthening a golf community. Howard Kreck found a way to keep playing despite his ALS and created a model for how golf courses everywhere can become truly inclusive.
When golf courses make accessibility a priority, entire communities benefit.