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Corporate Overview

Operated under Advantage Golf Group, LLC, Up-N-Swingin’ was established in 2003 to offer therapeutic golf sessions to people with physical and neurological limitations. In its second year of operation, the program has touched over 250 individuals; the company’s goal is to serve over 500 individuals by the end of 2005. The pilot program is headquartered in the popular golf destination of Scottsdale, Arizona, delivering its sessions at Sanctuary Golf Course at Westworld.

Although Up-N-Swingin’ primarily serves stroke survivors, the program has demonstrated marked success with survivors of spinal cord injuries, joint replacements, amputations, brain injuries, polio and other degenerative diseases. The majority of its participants are residents of Arizona; however people have flown in from across the country to experience this highly reputed golf therapy program.

Through its therapeutic golf program, Up-N-Swingin’ strives to: (1) Inspire mental wellness and hope (2) Strengthen the patient-therapist relationship and bolster faith in the recovery process (3) Motivate confidence and increase independence.

Up-N-Swingin’ expansion plans include a unique summer program that would introduce golf therapy to popular summer golf destinations throughout the continental United States. In addition, the company intends to add training sites in Phoenix and to other cities nationwide and expects to offer continued education courses in golf therapy for Allied Health Professionals, especially Occupational Therapists and Physical Therapists, making the therapy available at clinics and hospitals for participants that cannot travel to on-location training.

Chad Shimek, Founder and Director of Up-N-Swingin’

Did you know that stroke is the third largest cause of death, ranking behind diseases of the heart and all forms of cancer? And if you survive, the road to recovery is a life long journey - with continuous visits to the medical clinics, doctors, therapists and hard work the outcome may became unnoticed but not forgotten.

That alarming statistic hits home for me because at the age of fifteen, I suffered a severe stroke that paralyzed the entire left side my body. Through determination hard work and the support of my family & friends, I rehabilitated my injury as a teenager and went on to become a PGA golf professional.

As a golf professional who taught the game, I was often presented with the opportunity to develop innovative strategies for students with physical limitations. I later realized that my experience as a stroke survivor and my passion for golf could be combined to serve a greater good. That’s why I founded Up-N-Swingin’-
a program designed to support stroke survivors and others with physical challenges. This groundbreaking program offers participants a chance to find healing, rediscover self-esteem and revive hope through the therapeutic nature of golf.

Typically, being a teenage boy means chasing girls, playing sports and killing time with friends. But all that changed for Chad Shimek in 1985 when he suffered a severe stroke at the age of 15. The stroke, which happened while he was bowling, paralyzed him for about six months, impairing the left side of Mr. Shimek’s body from head to toe. Already an avid golf player, the doctors noted that his recovery might be faster because of his age and athletic ability, “but I learned that the mental part is harder than the physical,” says Mr. Shimek. Luckily, he was determined to recover and he did ... thanks in part to golf, a sport that provided the young man with inspiration to rebuild his physical and mental confidence.

Born and raised in Duluth, Minnesota, Mr. Shimek started playing golf when he was 13 years old. In 1991 while attending the University of Minnesota-Duluth, with the focus of a business major, Mr. Shimek started his path towards becoming a PGA Golf Professional.

Since 1993 Chad Shimek has served as an instructor for top recognized facilities or organizations such as; Nickalaus/Flick Golf Academy in Scottsdale, Stratton Golf School in Vermont , Lyford Scottsdale Golf School at McCormick Ranch in Scottsdale and Noyac Golf Club in South Hampton, New York.

Although more than 10,000 golf lessons have crossed his path, Mr. Shimek has always found the physically tested students to be the most rewarding because he understands their journey and wants to support it. “I love being a therapeutic golf instructor because I’m not just improving people’s swing, I’m changing their life. And for participants it’s not about getting a score, it’s about personal achievement.”

As Director of Golf Therapy, Mr. Shimek directs the program and operational activities for
Up-N-Swingin’.  A resident of Scottsdale, Arizona, Mr. Shimek is also a founder of Kid’s Golf & Beyond a 501 c3 nonprofit organization, a member of the Professional Golfers Association of America and a committee member for The American Stroke Association of Arizona.