2020 MWAGA Board of Directors
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Bradley Schubert, President
Bradley has been a below the knee amputee since September of 2014, after battling osteomyelitis for years and several surgeries. Three weeks before his amputation in 2014, he rode along with then president of MWAGA, Jeff Linton, and the rest is history. Brad attended his first MWAGA tournament the next year in 2015 and joined the MWAGA Board in 2016 and has been President of MWAGA since 2018. has become a fixture in adaptive golf in the Midwest Region. Known for his Loudmouth Golf attire that he wears at adaptive golf tournaments and his leg socket, Bradley stands out from the crowd. Bradley has also started teaching and mentoring other individuals with limb loss or limb deficiency. He is an Amputee Peer Counselor through the Amputee Coalition and an Adaptive Golf Coach with the U.S. Adaptive Golf Assocaition. “I believe that making golf accessible to everyone willing to play is important. When I had my amputation, I sought out MWAGA because I wanted to play again so badly after being laid up for almost a year prior. The look on someone face when they realize they can still play golf is one of my favorite things”. Brad is the Midwest Trustee for the National Amputee Golf Association and was named the Captain for the 2022 Phoenix Cup team representing the USA. Brad is a member off the USAGA Competition Committee and the Director of the USAGR Ranking. When Bradley isn't playing golf, he enjoys his time with his family doing a lot of other activities. Bradley lives in McHenry IL, with his wife Heidi and children, Brooke and Tyler. Bradley is also the co-director of the Friends of McHenry Golf, a non-for-profit group that supports developing junior golf in McHenry. He works as a MultiMedia Instructional Designer for Cambium Networks in Rolling Meadows, IL. And is responsible for the company's training and eLearning content that is delivered to employees, partners and end-users globally. |
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Jonathan Snyder, Vice President
Jonathan was born in Charlotte NC in 1981, He grew up as quite the athlete, excelling in all sports, especially basketball, he played AAU basketball all through High School. Jonathan was different, He was born with an undeveloped left hand. When Jonathan was 22 years old he started playing the game of golf regularly. It has since become his passion. It became such a positive therapy for Jonathan. He started at Red Bridge Golf club on the Cart Staff as a volunteer for zero pay. He worked his way up the ranks from Assistant Golf Professional, Event Coordinator, Head Golf Professional, to General Manager of entire golf club. The only thing better than Jonathan's golf game is his attitude about it. “I always keep a positive attitude & try not look at the negative things” It does not take a pro to realize he isn’t just talking about golf. In 2018 Jonathan accepted the Adaptive Golf Director position at Freedom Golf Association. Teaching Golf & giving Lessons is now his passion in life. Since becoming the Director of golf operations Jonathan has created a model that has provided record number of Adaptive golf lessons, putting FGA on the forefront of Adaptive golf lessons in the United States & recognized as the largest provider of Adaptive golf lessons in the United States. Jonathan has been on the board and Vice President since 2018. |
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John Benway, Treasurer
John became an amputee in 1978 due to a motorcycle accident. He became an avid skier and eventually became a certified adaptive ski instructor. He had never played golf until around 1987. He went to his first tournament in 1989 in Wisconson at the prompting of a fellow ski instructor, Bud Sanders. When Bud mentioned he and Don were forming the MWAGA, John volunteered to handle the financials and became the organization's first Treasurer. He also has held the positions of Secretary and President. John served as MWAGA's President from 2010-2012. . |
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Michala Mika, Secretary
Michala Mika grew up in Palos Hills, IL a suburb just 20 minutes outside of Chicago. Growing up, sports were a huge part of her life. Since 2013, Michala has been the Foundation Director of Kids Golf Foundation of Illinois. Under Michala’s leadership, KGF has impacted almost 100,000 children throughout the state of Illinois. She has also restructured the Foundation’s programming allowing KGF to offer more opportunities for their participants and Site Coordinators.The Kids Golf Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing the sport of golf into the lives of children and providing them with opportunities for personal growth and career enhancement. The Foundation’s mission lines up perfect with what Michala loves to do – help others and grow the game. She has met so many inspiring people throughout her journey in the game of golf. She has worked with many different organizations including schools, park districts, youth groups, police departments, churches, and more. She loves being able to help everyone and work with so many people from different walks of life. Everyone she encounters has their own story and Michala has learned something from each person. Junior golf is such a humbling and rewarding experience for Michala and she cannot wait to see what the future holds. |
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Margie Cleveland, Director
Margie became a board member of MWAGA in 2015, at the invitation of her good friends, Donna and Don Zommer, and became secretary in 2019. Though she doesn’t play golf, nor is she an amputee, she believes strongly in the goals of MWAGA and is dedicated to the ideals. Prior to her retirement, she was a high school social worker/counselor. She also serves on the board of her village’s historical society. She and her partner, Nick Bonder, share five children and 11 grandchildren. |
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Don and Donna Zommer, Directors
Don Became an amputee in 1962 after an industrial accident. He started playing golf in 1963 and became a life member of NAGA in 1965. In 1995 he became the Midwest Trustee for NAGA, a position he held for 10 years. Don became a First Swing instructor in 1992 and is still helping others. In 2001, Don and Bud Sanders became the founders of the Midwestern Amputee Golf Association, and is a past President. Donna has been by Don's side for years and was the volunteer coordinator for the MWAGA Tournament since its inception. Donna continues to be one of the greatest supporters of MWAGA over the years. Don and Donna open thier home to the Board Members regularly to hold meetings. |
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Denise Riesen, Director
Denise Riesen is an award-winning freelance photographer with more then 20 years experience. Her work is inspired by her travels and life experiences, capturing compelling images for sports, commercial, portrait, art, and decorative product designs. She has been the official photographer for MWAGA tournaments since the start in 2001, as well as photographed various other amputee sports events and tournaments throughout Chicago. She has also produced a photography book, Life Without Limb, which was greatly inspired by her work with amputees. For more information about Denise and her work, visit www.riesenphotography.com |
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Geoff Zommer, Director
Geoff is the younger son of MWAGA Founder, Don Zommer. Being Don's son, Geoff never knew anything other than having a father who was an amputee. As a child Don took the whole family to many national tournaments, and he was always amazed by the abilities of all the players. Geoff joined the board in 2019 and looks to assist the organization to continue its mission. |
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Sarah Larson, Director
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David McCready, Director
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Heidi Schubert, Director
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