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.

JACOB BUNCH

Having participated in competitive sports for much of his life, Jacob Bunch has always appreciated the power of athletics to bring people together, build confidence, and foster a sense of community. His passion for creating opportunities for people of all abilities began in college, where his involvement with Pi Kappa Phi introduced him to Push America, now known as The Ability Experience, an organization dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities.

Following a knee injury, Jacob discovered pickleball while returning to athletics. He quickly developed an appreciation for the sport’s accessibility, welcoming community, and ability to connect people of different backgrounds and abilities. A lifelong resident of the Upstate, Jacob is passionate about philanthropy and giving back to the community he calls home. Professionally, he works in engineering and technology, helping organizations embrace innovation, solve complex challenges, and bring new ideas to life.

For Jacob, APB represents a natural intersection of his lifelong love of sports, personal experiences, and commitment to inclusion. He is committed to leveraging his personal passions and professional experience to expand the organization’s reach, create meaningful opportunities, and ensure that people of all abilities can experience the connection, confidence, and sense of belonging that sports provide.

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.

SHARI CARPENTER

Shari Carpenter is a quality assurance and planning executive with over 25 years of experience in various manufacturing arenas. Hailing from Cincinnati, Shari’s passion for APB stems from her own experience as a shy, only child struggling to fit in with others. She is motivated by wanting people to experience togetherness with a focus on personal growth and enrichment through team activities.

Shari enjoys event planning, creating efficiencies and spreadsheets. Her passion for philanthropy and community involvement began in college and continues to be at the forefront of how she spends much of her free time. When she’s not planning themed social events or playing pickleball, you can find Shari hitting the hiking trails, reading suspense novels and spending time with her rescue dogs.

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.

Adaptive Pickleball is expanding throughout the Upstate South Carolina area. We’ve opened hubs in Spartanburg (2023), Blue Ridge (2024), and Lexington (2025). At each hub, APB serves the special needs community with the help of our amazing volunteer APB Hub City Leaders.

Judy & Bruce Holt
email Judy

Cinda Garst
email Cinda

Cindy Doherty
email Cindy

Edwin Gerace
email Edwin

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:

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.