PGA/LPGA Professional Judy Alvarez’s new book inspires others through her stories of healing broken spirits by teaching individuals with disabilities the game of golf.
  
For the 20% of people with disabilities* in the United States alone, everyday activities create challenges where others do not encounter them: such as walking up a flight of stairs, driving a car or even playing a round of golf. For PGA/LPGA professional Judy Alvarez, the golf course is the classroom where goals are reached and new chapters are started for individuals with disabilities. In “Broken Tees and Mended Hearts,” Alvarez shares with everyone – disabled and able-bodied people alike – how her work with veterans and civilians with disabilities for years has helped them overcome adversity and gain a new lease on life.
  
“Golf is much more than just a sport- it is a therapeutic and rehabilitative tool, and can save lives,” said Alvarez. “While this book is about golf and can be used to motivate and inspire individuals with disabilities, it is also about the human spirit and how it overcomes and triumphs over adversity and challenge. My hope is that this book will educate others about the importance of the game of golf to someone who may feel broken in some way, and inspire to get back in the game… both on the course and in life.”
  
In “Broken Tees and Mended Hearts,” a series of short vignettes come together that each tell a personal, inspirational and touching story of challenges overcome (many with the help of “Coach Alvarez”) out on the golf course. It is a collection of stories for golfers and non-golfers, with or without a disability – there are lessons to be learned and much to be gained from these stories for everyone from all walks of life. Though each story and situation is unique and different, the common threads weave through each chapter of optimism, determination and healing.
  
“Broken Tees and Mended Hearts” was self-published by Alvarez. It is available for $19.95 through her website, www.judyalvarez.com, and a portion of all net proceeds goes to charity.
  
Alvarez began her career as the head golf professional at a public facility in Palm Beach County, Florida where one of her many responsibilities was teaching a weekly adaptive golf class. To gain insight as an instructor, she traveled to Colorado to witness the annual golf tournament of the Association of Disabled American Golfers that paired golfers with and without disabilities in 1994. Alvarez has had a passion to help individuals with disabilities use golf as a therapeutic tool ever since that visit, and continues to work with golfers with disabilities.
  
About Judy Alvarez

Judy Alvarez, a PGA of America and LPGA Professional, lives in Palm City, Fla., and is a teaching professional at Mariner Sands Country Club in Stuart, Fla. Alvarez is the PGA National Military Golf Trainer for the Wounded Warrior Project and an Adjunct Faculty Member for the PGA of America’s Professional Golf Management Program. She was also honored by the Department of Defense with the Seven Seals Award for her outstanding support of Florida’s National Guard and Reserve forces. She has received the South Florida PGA President’s Plaque Award, been named the LPGA Southeast Section Teacher of the Year and been a member of Golf for Women magazine’s Top 50 Teachers. Alvarez is available for book signings and readings. For more information, please email golferja@aol.com, visit www.judyalvarez.com, follow “Golf Judy” on Twitter, connect on LinkedIn at “JudyAlvarez” and like on Facebook by searching “Broken Tees and Mended Hearts”.