TEAM

BRANDON WORLEY

Brandon is the founder and executive director of Upstate-Carolina Adaptive Golf, a 501c3 non-profit dedicated to providing adaptive golf programs for military veterans, adults and children recovering from a variety of physical and/or mental challenges.

Brandon joined the Army after graduating from Clinton High School in 2010. He served active duty from July 2010 through July 2014 and completed one 10-month deployment to Afghanistan. In 2020, Brandon earned his master’s degree from Life University (Marietta, GA) in Positive Psychology with a concentration in coaching.

FREDDIE BONET

Originally from Puerto Rico, I have been living in the United States for over 17 years. After my first experience with Adaptive Pickleball, my wife and I ended the day with our hearts full of joy and gratitude for the opportunity.

My commitment to Adaptive Pickleball is to support any efforts that will make the sport accessible to everyone. I have a background in IT, employed by Microsoft to support the Department of Defense for over 23 years. I live in Salem SC.

DENISE SHEEHAN

I have been a lifelong athlete and began playing pickleball during the pandemic in 2020. My love for the game lies in the fact that anyone can play and want to bring the joy I experience playing this game to others. I moved to Taylors, SC in August 2022 from Chester County, Pennsylvania and by chance met Sandy on the courts one evening. We started chatting about the upcoming Round Robin Rumble and Adaptive Pickleball – I was hooked.

After my first APB Pickleball Play Day at Victor Gym, I knew this was an organization I wanted to be a part of. I am hoping to use my 15+ years of experience in the non-profit world to grow and strengthen APB and bring this wonderful game to many more athletes with “Diversabilites”.

SANDY BURRIS

I love all sports and feel all sports should be accessible to everyone. I’m a retired college and semi-professional soccer coach. I’ve lived in the upstate for the past 13 years and currently work as a real estate agent for Brookshire Hathaway – CD Joyner.

When my mother had open heart surgery, she started playing pickleball and found it was a great cardio rehab. I started playing too and I quickly fell in love with it as well. Pickleball was a way for us to bond and be on the same court no matter age or physical differences.

A few years ago, one of my young soccer players had an accident that left her with paralysis. Watching her thrive after the accident because of adaptive sports brought me so much joy and I wanted to be a part of it so I started volunteering with Adaptive Pickleball (APB).

APB has given our Upstate community an amazing chance to volunteer, understand and set the standard of how adaptive players can achieve anything they want. APB helps them achieve some of those goals. It is a privilege to serve on the APB board and I look forward to helping in any way to further the vision of Sandy Halkett.

SABRINA WALKER

Hello Pickleball friends! I initially discovered Adaptive Pickleball thru Roger C. Peace Rehabilitation Hospital. I was obviously hooked from the very first serve. Sandy, all the APB coaches, and the entire “smile & have fun” atmosphere was irresistible. How could I not jump right in and get involved?

I retired from immunology research in the late 90’s, immediately discovered numerous volunteer and educational opportunities and haven’t stopped yet. Due to a neuromuscular disease and a 6-month battle with acute leukemia, I walk with a cane and play pickleball in a sports wheelchair. Playing pickleball is the most fun ever!

I’m thankful and enthusiastic for the opportunity to serve on the APB board and I promise to do all I can to spread the pickleball joy.

CONNER MAGAR

Conner is a Recreational Therapist with PRISMA Health, Roger C. Peace Rehabilitation Hospital. She currently works as a Recreational Therapist for PRISMA Health on a VA Adaptive Sports Grant, which provides one-on-one sessions and group affiliated adaptive-sport activities/events designed to enhance the rehabilitative and therapeutic health of Veterans and Service Members across the complete spectrum of adaptive sports. Through the VA Adaptive Sports Grant, Conner has developed several partnerships and also manages the UCAN Adaptive Sports Program for people in the community with physical disabilities.

JOHN MOORE

John Moore is a marketing strategist, business book author and keynote speaker. He played instrumental marketing roles at both Starbucks Coffee and Whole Foods Market. Today, his Brand Autopsy Marketing Practice consults with organizations that are driven by purpose, not just profits.

John helps lead Upstate Pickleball and leads We Stutter Upstate, a community group helping people embrace their stutter to live an uncompromised life.

Players from the Upstate Pickleball community graciously volunteer their expertise and passion to help ensure every Pickleball Play Day and Fundraiser is a success. Adaptive Pickleball is beyond appreciative of the caring hearts and on-going support from the following volunteers:

Ann Ingels
April Lengel
Astrid Schmid
Bari Snyder
Beverly Lundquist
Brandi Crowe
Brandon Smotherman
Camille Hood
Chris Ingels
Cinda Garst
Cindy Heos
Coleen Lee
Cynthia Glendening
David Broderick
Deana Collins
Debbie Turk

Dennis Ittenbach
Diane Hovey
Dink Howard
Doug Possenriede
Freddie Bonet
Heather Bryant
Jay Terrell
Jayden Broderick
Jette Robertson
Joe Montgomery
Johnny Tong
Jorge Navarro
Joshua McClellan
Joshua Goldstein
Judy Holt
Justin Salvetti

Kathleen Roper
Kathleen Watkins
Kathy Saunders
Kim Perry
Kim Smith
Kim Spears
Larry Smith
Lisa Mlady
Margo Marsh
Marilyn Kretzmer
Marvin Brinn
Maureen Nery
McKenna Woodhead
Michael Ferrell
Michelle Roberts
Nereo Legaspi

Nicole Feeny
Norma Bernal
Nory Smotherman
Pat Klug
Peter Van Gieson
Ray McClelland
Rex Spears
Rusty Perry
Ruth Brockwell
Sandy Burris
Shari Carpenter
Sonja Broderick
Steven Croucher
Sue Dempsey
Vanessa Bonet
Wayne Levens

Adaptive Pickleball needs more Volunteer Coaches. VOLUNTEER HERE.

Contact Sandy Halkett if you have questions about volunteering.

Adaptive Pickleball relies on the generosity of our partners for donating equipment, providing gym/court space, volunteer rehabilitation therapists, and much more. Without our partners, Adaptive Pickleball wouldn’t be able to host as many Pickleball Play Days as we do. (The fewer events we host, the fewer lives impacted. It’s that simple.) Adaptive Pickleball is impacting lives because of our partners. THANK YOU!!!

Contact Sandy Halkett if you are interested in becoming an Adaptive Pickleball partner.