Cart gets golfer back on the green

RIDING SOLO- A specially equipped SoloRider electric golf cart allows players with extremely limited motion to play the game they love. The single-rider cart has a seat that swivels 360 degrees and helps the rider stand up with the touch of a button. The Los Robles Greens Golf Course recently purchased a SoloRider for their players who need a little extra help. Sam Geta was no longer a youngster when he fell in love with golf. The Westlake Village resident started playing in his mid-30s, and got "really good, really fast," he said. He even started thinking about entering the seniors tournament down the road when he turned 50.

But after just two years of frequenting the links, Geta was in crash after a car turned in front of his motorcycle. On July 26, 1990- the same day George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act- Geta became a paraplegic.

He played maybe once a year in the 10 or 12 years after his accident, finding it difficult to do so from a seated position. But about three years ago, when Woodley Lakes Golf Course bought its first SoloRider, Geta got back into the game. The single-seat cart gave him the opportunity to return to the sport he loves.

"(The company) listened to some suggestions from clients when other companies didn't," Geta said. "They've developed a car that can be used by people with more diverse mobility problems. The car is just really well made and very safe."

The SoloRider's seat swivels 360 degrees, and it stands the rider up with the touch of a button. It allows Geta to play the entire course, including the greens and sand traps. He even tees up his own ball.

"For players who have limited motion and strength in their hands and shoulders, the electric seat is going to make playing a round of golf far more enjoyable," said Roger Pretekin, founder and president of SoloRider. "It also will help reduce fatigue over an 18-hole round."

Los Robles Greens Golf Course recently purchased the car- the first in the Conejo Valley- after the city requested they take a look at it.

"We looked into it and thought it was something that would be useful for us," said John Billin, assistant general manager of the course. "In my opinion, it's the best one out there as far as handicapped carts go. It's the most universal, and it tilts to put a person in a golf stance. It's safe to drive on the greens."

Billin said the cart has gone out about a half-dozen times.

"We've gotten a great response from the people who've used it," he said. "It's been really good."

Geta recently broke in Los Robles' new SoloRider, and he shot a 49 on the front nine during super twilight. Now he just wishes he had one of his own. With so few courses that own a single-seat car, Geta is often left out of tournaments when his 50plus men's league at Woodley Lakes travels.

"Just a few weeks ago I wasn't able to play in a charity event, and the only reason I couldn't play was because I couldn't get access to a cart," he said.

Despite there just being a couple SoloRiders in the San Fernando and Conejo valleys, and one or two more in Ventura, Geta now plays golf once or twice a week.

"I'm a better ball hitter now than when I was walking," he said with a laugh. "My first drives are always right down the middle. It drives people nuts when they play with me. I like it because it inspires people. I just wish I could play at more venues."

Geta doles out golf tips readily and said he'd love to help people with mobility issues get comfortable using the SoloRider.

"It may not mean much to most people, but to people like me that have a mobility impairment, the SoloRider makes us almost equals on the golf course to those that can walk," he said.

Visit www.mobilitygolf.com to find courses that have SoloRiders.