*St Louis Magazine*
Kevin Corn Golf Academy is bringing hope and happiness to young patients at Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital in St. Louis. Run by golf pro Kevin Corn of Innsbrook Resort, the program has provided golf instruction and therapeutic engagement to children recovering from severe medical conditions for nearly a decade.
Launched initially as a junior golf program, the initiative was recently renamed the Kevin Corn Golf Academy to reflect Corn’s long-term dedication and creativity. His sessions take place on both traditional outdoor courses and within the hospital itself, where Corn improvises putting areas and even jokingly calls one set up the “Ranken Jordan National Golf Links.”
Corn is known for adapting the sport to fit the physical needs of each child, no matter the challenge. One remarkable case involved a young patient who had lost his fingers due to severe burns but still wanted to swing a golf club. With the help of straps and wraps, Corn made it possible for the boy to hit golf balls independently every week.
The goal of the Kevin Corn Golf Academy goes beyond instruction—it’s about helping children feel like kids again. Corn finds the greatest reward in seeing smiles return to patients’ faces as they regain confidence and enjoy moments of play.
Engaging in golf therapy at Ranken Jordan offers both physical and emotional benefits. For many children, it supports cardiovascular health, coordination, and even bone strength—particularly valuable for those recovering from transplants or heart conditions. Emotionally, golf fosters discipline, patience, self-esteem, and social connection.
Corn’s work has been described as “magical,” a testament to the power of one person making a difference through compassion, creativity, and consistency.
This article is a rewritten summary based on St. Louis Magazine’s Facebook
