Healing Arts Institute was founded in honor of Carter after he received his autism spectrum disorder diagnosis.
11-year-old Carter Bonas of Coral Springs, Florida is an up-and-coming golfer who founded Spectrum Golf Apparel at the age of 10.
Carter named his line of apparel “Spectrum Golf” and his vitamin water “Spectrum Vitamin Water” because he is considered high functioning on the Autism Spectrum Scale. Most recent Carter has followed in his mother’s footsteps and started his own 501c3 Non-Profit Carter’s Spectrum Golf “Cares” Corp. where he will be providing motivational speaking to schools and mentoring programs in addition to offering free golf lessons to youth.
Carter begin to build his legacy at the age of 10, because he feared no one would hire him because of his diagnosis. Those fears were real! Carter was the target of intense bullying due to his Autism, until one day he PASSIONATELY expressed to his teachers, “I am going to kill myself if one more person bullies me.”
But, through his therapy and playing golf, he gained his confidence, which ultimately led him to designing his own line of golf apparel.
Carter hosts a annual golf tournament to benefit the nonprofit Healing Arts Institute of South Florida, which was founded in his honor by his mother, Dr. Thelma Tennie licensed marriage and family therapist. The nonprofit offers No-Cost mental health services primarily to youth 22 and under and their families, across the State of Florida.
Carter began a whirlwind of media coverage after displaying his line of apparel at the PGA Show in Orlando and sharing his story, appearing on The Golf Channel, Golf Life TV, PGA magazine, Club and Result Business magazine, Europe Times News, Golf weekly and USAToday.com, Golf Central Magazine, City of Fort Lauderdale Chamber newsletter, and North Central Florida Golfer Magazine.
Carter was featured in a Spotlight Segment on, ESPN West Palm, ESPN Radio 106.3, WPTV-Channel 5 News, WSVN-Channel 7 News in Miami and 2 segments on NBC in West Palm Beach. From there it was onto the Chubb Classic in Naples, FL, where he received unprecedented access to Legendary Pro Golfer Ernie Els. Media from all over the world watched as Carter walked the course with the Hall of Famer, while he was playing in the tournament. Els’s son is also autistic. Carter also had a chip competition with Pro Golfer Alex Cejka, losing by just a couple inches.
Carter is also a giver. Donating swag at the Chubb Classic with Jr. golfers from the organization First Tee, who then invited him to attend the Honda Classic.
Carter enjoys sharing his story and welcomes opportunities to speak to inspire others and conduct golfing demonstrations wherever he goes.
To book Carter, or to view his recent speaking engagements and press, visit https://www.cartersspectrumgolf.com/book-carter—press.html#/