PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- The ninth annual Special Olympics Golf National Invitational Tournament returns to the PGA Golf Club for the fifth time in the history of event, Oct. 3-6, 2008. More than 200 golfers from 24 states will compete in one of five levels of competition on the award-winning Ryder and Wanamaker Courses.
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.
Olympic-style Opening Ceremonies will tee off the event on Fri., Oct. 3, with three competitive golf rounds played Sat., Oct. 4- Mon., Oct. 6. Medal ceremonies for the golf competition will take place immediately following the final round on Mon., Oct. 6.
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 Bank of America, Coca-Cola, Mattel Children’s Foundation, Mattel Inc. and Starwood Hotels and Resorts.
"We are proud to continue our support of Special Olympics golf and the ninth annual Special Olympics Golf National Invitational Tournament," said PGA of America President Brian Whitcomb. "The shared principles of sportsmanship, inclusion and family participation throughout a lifetime unite Special Olympics and the great game of golf at their very foundation. Since 1988, PGA Professionals from around the country have been every day, grassroots advocates for the Special Olympics program leading to the international growth of the sport and more than 7,000 Special Olympics golfers in the United States alone."
"We are excited to be returning to the PGA Golf Club for this national invitational tournament," said Bob Gobrecht, managing director, Special Olympics North America. "Through tournaments at facilities like this, we get a chance to strengthen the confidence and skills of our Special Olympics athletes, while promoting a sense of unity and acceptance with PGA Professionals. All over the world, the Special Olympics movement changes the lives of people with intellectual disabilities through sports, building more inclusive and engaged communities where each person, regardless of ability, is accepted and welcomed and where every individual contributes."
"Our PGA Professionals and staff are excited and honored to welcome back Special Olympics golfers, volunteers, coaches and family for their national tournament here at PGA Golf Club," said PGA Professional Bob Baldassari, general manager of Village, which encompasses the PGA Golf Club, PGA Learning Center golf instruction and practice park and the PGA Historical Center golf museum. "We are proud to champion the talents of Special Olympics golfers who train hard, enjoy their good shots and embody the spirit of the game. Our staff stands ready to host an exciting three days of competition."
About Special Olympics
Special Olympics is an international organization that changes lives by promoting understanding, acceptance and inclusion among people with and without intellectual disabilities. Through year-round sports training and athletic competition and other related programming for 2.8 million children and adults with intellectual disabilities in 180 countries, Special Olympics has created a model community that celebrates people’s diverse gifts. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Special Olympics provides people with intellectual disabilities continuing opportunities to realize their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy and friendship. Visit Special Olympics at www.specialolympics.org.
About The PGA of America
Since 1916, The PGA of America's mission has been twofold: to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf.
By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, the Association enables PGA Professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the $76 billion golf industry.
By creating and delivering dramatic world-class championships and exciting and enjoyable golf promotions that are viewed as the best of their class in the golf industry, The PGA of America elevates the public's interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere.
The PGA of America brand represents the very best in golf.
About PGA Village
The Ryder, Wanamaker and Dye Courses form a trio of world-class public courses at the PGA Golf Club, at PGA Village in Port St. Lucie, Fla. Named by Golf Digest as one of the "75 Best Golf Resorts in North America" for 2007-08, PGA Village also features the award-winning, 35-acre PGA Learning Center golf park and PGA Historical Center golf museum. The PGA Golf Club exists to be one of the premier daily fee facilities in America, and to serve as a home club for our 28,000 PGA Professionals. For more information, please visit www.pgavillage.com.
