Recently, the eyes of the collegiate golf world were on Wilmington as Porters Neck Country Club hosted the 2026 ACC Women’s Golf Championship. While Stanford ultimately walked away with the title, the true victory behind the scenes was keeping these elite athletes performing at the top of their game.
Among those leading that charge on the sidelines was Dr. Joanne B. Allen, sports medicine and PM&R physician alongside Gregg Brueck, LAT, ATC and Jessica Rocha, MS, ATC, of the EmergeOrtho – Coastal Region athletic trainer team.
EmergeOrtho – Coastal Region athletic trainer Gregg Brueck, LAT, ATC, working with an athlete on the sidelines.
More Than Just Sideline Support
For an athletic trainer, a golf championship isn’t just about watching drives; it’s about high-stakes biomechanics. Over four days of intense stroke and match play, Dr. Allen, Gregg, Jessica and the medical staff were on hand to manage everything from sudden overuse injuries to the inevitable physical toll of walking a 7,100-yard course in the North Carolina sun.
Dr. Joanne B. Allen and Gregg Brueck, LAT, ATC, in a Medical golf cart ready to assist athletes.
Athletic trainers like Gregg are known as the first responders of the sports medicine world. Their work at an event of this caliber includes 3 vital aspects:
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Injury Prevention: Helping athletes with dynamic warm-ups to ensure their swing doesn’t lead to lumbar, elbow, shoulder, or wrist strain.
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Acute Care: Addressing immediate issues on the course to keep players in the game safely.
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Performance Recovery: Providing post-round treatments to help athletes bounce back for the next morning’s tee time.
The Porters Neck Country Club in Wilmington, NC
Local Expertise on a National Stage
Having the expertise of an athletic trainer and sports medicine physician on-site highlights EmergeOrtho’s commitment to the Wilmington community and the high-level athletes who visit the Coastal Region. Whether it’s a high-profile ACC tournament or a local high school match, the goal remains the same: better outcomes for elite athletes through specialized orthopedic care and sports performance.
Congratulations to all the competitors, and a special thanks to our athletic trainers and medical team for representing EmergeOrtho and keeping the ACC’s best athletes moving at the top of their game!
Find Sports Medicine Care and Physical Therapy Near You
Looking for the same professional care the pros get? Visit any of EmergeOrtho’s several Coastal Region locations – from New Bern, Morehead City, Jacksonville, Wilmington, Carolina Beach, Leland, Shallotte, and beyond – for specialized sports medicine and physical therapy services.
