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Tour in 2007. Finding sponsors and the money
necessary to chase a dream to compete as a
professional golfer is a daunting task for any
young pro, but for a player with a hearing
disability, it is even more challenging.
Matt decided to take his knowledge of the
game and his past experience of dealing with
his physical challenges and introduce other
special needs children to golf.
Being among professional golfers gave Matt
the tools he needed to be a better teacher. He
became associated with the Ability Center of
Northwest Ohio and the National Alliance
for Accessible Golf. Children with physical
limitations have different teaching needs
and learning skill set than other children.
Matt has the patience and the understanding
of what it takes to teach special needs
children. He excels at assessing their needs
and providing the correct teaching method
to reach them.
In 2014 Matt established the Matt Lake
Golf Academy at Bedford Hills Golf
Club. The academy brings the lessons he
learned from the best players and golf
instructors in the world to help physically
challenged and hearing impaired children
in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan.
He is constantly searching for teaching
methods to accommodate special needs
students with the finest tools. Laser Putt,
Zepp, Convert-a-hole and Cure Putters
have all helped Matt bring the best golf aids
and training tools to his young students.
Laser Putt gives feedback to the player on the
proper club alignment to improve solid hits
and performance. Zepp allows Matt to track
NWO Golf Links