PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- Nearly 400 Special Olympics golfers, partner players, volunteers, coaches, staff and family members attending the 2007 Special Olympics Golf National Invitational Tournament, Sept. 14-17, will be invited to a special Play Golf America Clinic on Friday evening, Sept. 14, 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., at the PGA Learning Center in Port St. Lucie, Fla.
Designed to showcase the game of golf in a fun and relaxed atmosphere, the Special Olympics Play Golf America Clinic will be hosted by the South Florida PGA Section Professionals and will offer clinics and tune-up lessons to help athletes with their competition and their enjoyment in the game of golf.
"PGA Golf Professionals throughout the country have been proud to champion the growth of Special Olympics golf since 1988," said PGA President Brian Whitcomb. "The planning and volunteer spirit that our Florida PGA Golf Professionals are giving for this special Play Golf America Clinic should make this a great experience for all involved. We know that each opportunity to teach a Special Olympics golfer is an opportunity to know a golfer who trains hard, enjoys a good shot and shares his or her enthusiasm for the game with all they meet."
A roster of 180 golfers will compete in one of five levels of competition on the Ryder and Wanamaker Courses of The PGA Golf Club. The national tournament will tee off with the Olympic-style Opening Ceremonies and conclude with a Play Golf America Clinic at the PGA Learning Center to cap off a great night of golf. Three competitive golf rounds will be played Saturday, Sept. 15, through Monday, Sept. 17, with medal ceremonies for the golf competition taking place immediately following the final round.
Special Olympics golf, part of a worldwide sports program for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, offers five levels of play for athletes with different golf abilities. Level I consists of an individual skills contest where six golf skills are tested. Level II is an alternate shot team play where a Special Olympics athlete is paired with a non-Special Olympics partner of more advanced skill for a 9-hole competition. Level III is Unified SportsÒ team play pairing Special Olympics and Unified partners of similar ability for an 18-hole competition. Levels IV and V are individual stroke play 9-hole and 18-hole competitions, respectively.
The golf industry has joined to support Special Olympics golf with The PGA of America, USGA and PGA TOUR as presenting sponsors, the LPGA and GCSAA as supporting sponsors and The PGA Golf Club as event sponsor. The Special Olympics Global Partners include adidas, Bank of America, Coca-Cola, Mattel and Starwood Hotels and Resorts.
About Special Olympics
Special Olympics is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities to become physically fit, productive and respected members of society through sports training and competition. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and competition to 2.5 million adults and children with intellectual disabilities across 165 countries. The Special Olympics Movement offers one of the world's greatest platforms for acceptance and inclusion for all people regardless of race, religion, ethnicity or cultural differences. Find out how you can become involved at www.specialolympics.org.
About The PGA of America
The PGA of America is the world's largest working sports organization, comprised of 28,000 men and women golf professionals who are the recognized experts in growing, teaching and managing the game of golf while serving millions of people throughout its 41 PGA Sections nationwide. Since its founding in 1916, The PGA of America has enhanced its leadership position in a $62 billion-a-year industry by growing the game of golf through its premier spectator events, world-class education and training programs, significant philanthropic outreach initiatives, and award-winning golf promotions. Today's PGA Golf Professional is the public's link to the game, serving an essential role in the operation of golf facilities throughout the country.
About Play Golf America
Play Golf America, designed to increase participation among new and occasional adult golfers, was developed by The PGA of America, with the support of Allied Associations including: the LPGA, National Golf Course Owners Association, PGA Tour, USGA and others involved in the annual Golf 20/20 Conference. The program utilizes the www.PlayGolfAmerica.com Web site to serve as a link for consumers to access fun, affordable and informative programs in their area.
