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About Marty Turcios
“I love to watch people -- disabled and non-disabled -- be successful at something they thought they couldn’t do.To watch people change their outlook.”
Early Impact
Marty Turcios's lifelong passion for golf began in childhood, next to a golf course where he'd search for balls and play a few holes. Born with Cerebral Palsy, Marty taught himself to hit a golf ball at age six, quickly realizing how golf built foundations for balance, center of gravity, power, and agility. This early discovery highlighted the profound therapeutic value of golf in his life.
Golf evolved into a state of mind for Marty, fostering self-direction and an active lifestyle. He pursued this passion academically, earning a bachelor's degree in Therapeutic Recreation from Fresno State and a master's from San Jose State. Marty often felt he was teaching his professors, emphasizing that "Golfing is a state of mind. Recreational therapy is helping people develop a state of mind."
Building on Success
Marty has dedicated his career to sharing the therapeutic benefits of golf. He's served as a golf instructor at programs like UC Berkeley Recreation and Sport, given demonstrations nationwide, and developed therapeutic recreation programs for rehabilitation hospitals and academic institutions.
In 2010, Marty founded Marty Turcios Therapeutic Golf, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in California. His early classes for autistic teens and adults were remarkably effective, with several students achieving a functional level high enough to qualify for the Special Olympics. He also worked with hospitalized veterans recovering from traumatic brain injuries, witnessing their improvements in balance and progression from wheelchairs to canes—achievements they attributed to golf. These successes underscored the power of leisure activities and sports as therapeutic tools for individuals facing developmental challenges or trauma.
Success in Augusta, GA
In 2016, Marty brought Marty Turcios Therapeutic Golf to Augusta, Georgia. He quickly established a strong partnership with Wedges and Woods Golf Center, where he offers free Adaptive Golf Clinics to anyone with a disability, utilizing the latest high-tech equipment. Year-round, Marty leads weekly recreational therapeutic golf classes, 9-hole games, and an annual adaptive golf tournament for individuals throughout the CSRA. Even students with paralysis participate, using adaptive golf equipment that allows wheelchair users to stand and play comfortably and safely. These invaluable services are made possible by the unwavering support of Wedges and Woods Golf Center and the generous contributions from donors.