AMES, Iowa -- On the final day of the sixth annual Special Olympics Golf National Invitational Tournament (NIT) in Ames, Iowa, Kevin Erickson of Green Bay, Wis., shot a new NIT 18-hole individual stroke play record low round of 75 to win his third consecutive gold medal at the national tournament.
Several golf and community leaders, including NIT Honorary Chairperson and LPGA Tour Player Beth Bader, were on hand to present Olympic-style medals to 181 Special Olympics golfers and, in team play, their non-Special Olympics partners from 29 states.
The NIT offered five levels of competition for golfers with intellectual disabilities, Sept. 16-19, with Coldwater Golf Links hosting individual skills competition and nine-hole alternate shot team play and the Ames Golf & Country Club hosting the 18-hole alternate shot team play and nine-hole and 18-hole individual stroke play.
LPGA Tour Player Beth Bader shared her thoughts regarding her first Special Olympics experience. "I did not know what to expect coming here this morning, but today I was amazed by the enthusiasm, spirit and caliber of play," said Bader. "I am impressed with the heart and soul that is poured out on each shot taken, by the delicate touch to knock in their putt. I was moved by the sheer joy and look on their faces during awards ceremonies. It was an honor to represent the LPGA here this week and I look forward to my continued involvement with Special Olympics golf."
Ames Golf & Country Club Host PGA Professional Jon Vodehnal helped to organize both the tournament and the popular Play Golf America Clinic for Special Olympics golfers this past weekend. "The outpouring of enthusiasm to play the game is amazing," said Vodehnal. "Encouragement is found everywhere here this week - especially between players and from family members, volunteers and organizers alike. A great shot is celebrated by all. While the Play Golf America Clinic was extremely well-received by Special Olympics golfers it was even more meaningful to the PGA Professional giving lessons. By far, this is the most rewarding thing I have done for a very long time."
Final Day Summary, Notes & Quotes
In Level 5 18-Hole Individual Stroke Play, Kevin Erickson of Green Bay, Wis., shot 90-78-75-243 to finish 12 shots ahead of silver medalist Joel Murray of West Monroe, La., who shot 84-83-88-255.
"The key was to just keep playing my own game and to not worry about what was going to happen," said Erickson, who won his third consecutive gold medal and broke the previous NIT low round record (76) that he set during a hole-in-one round at the 2003 NIT. "Everything just came together for me this week."
Grace Anne Braxton of Fredericksburg, Va., shot her third consecutive round in the 80s with an 89 to finish with 89-87-89-265 to win the gold medal in the Level 5 women's division. Braxton, who has played in all six NITs, said "I have had a great time here this week and shot my best three-round score ever. I like playing in this tournament but I really like meeting people from all over the United States, doing my best and getting to play on new courses."
Scott Rohrer, age 16, of York, S.C., led the Level 4 Nine-Hole Individual Stroke-Play from the first round, posting a 52 Monday for a three-round total of 136 and the gold medal. Michael Madden of New Brighton, Minn., shot a 56-42-45-143 for the silver medal.
David Johnson of Fort Myers, Fla., along with his playing partner and father, Jim Johnson, continued their round-two lead in the Level 3 18-Hole Unified Team Play with a 95 Monday and a final total of 293. The Johnson family team shared a four-shot win over Michael Reid of Lexington, S.C., and playing partner Charles Parnell, who shot a 93 Monday for a final total of 297. Reid and Parnell shot their personal best score after 15 years of playing together. "This was the best we have ever done," said Reid. "We just tried to keep it straight and low all day long."
Andy Martinez of Virginia Beach, Va., along with his playing partner and father, Mike Martinez, won the gold medal in the Level 2 Alternate Shot Nine-Hole Team Play by matching their personal-best 42 from Sunday to win with a 45-42-42-129. Casey O'Connor of Conway, S.C., and playing partner Bob O'Connor, shot 47-49-47-143 to win the silver medal.
"The best part of this tournament is winning the gold medal with my dad," Andy Martinez said. "I did good. I hit straight down the middle, landing it on the green." Mike Martinez, Andy's father, said "The highlight of my week is watching him get better every day and learning to overcome frustrations on the course. He enjoys the game and I certainly enjoy playing with him."
Joe Cumberpatch of Rockville, Md., led from start to finish in the Level 1 Individual Skills competition with 72 points Monday for a gold-medal total of 226. "I like it here at this tournament and it is nice to have my sister here cheering me on," said Cumberpatch, who won his first gold medal in golf at this year's NIT.
Points are earned in six skills that simulate play including: full swing tests with a wood and iron, short game tests with pitch and chip shots, and putting a long putt and a short putt.
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 for entry-level Special Olympics athletes which tests six skills similar to on-course play, including a wood shot, an iron shot, a pitch shot, a chip shot, a long putt and a short putt. Level II is Unified Sports alternate shot team play where a Special Olympics athlete is paired with a non-Special Olympics athlete of more advanced skill for a 9-hole competition. Level III is Unified Sports team play pairing Special Olympics and non-Special Olympics players of similar ability for an 18-hole competition. Levels IV and V are individual stroke play 9-hole and 18-hole competitions, respectively. All levels are in accordance with the USGA Rules of Golf.
The PGA of America and USGA return for the sixth consecutive year as presenting sponsors and are joined in 2005 by the PGA TOUR in this sponsorship designation. The LPGA and the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America are supporting sponsors. Bayer Environmental Science, Brokers International LTD and Thor Guard are gold medal sponsors for the tournament.
Silver medal sponsors include: Devant Towels, Nicklaus Golf, Nicklaus Design, The Top-Flite Golf Company, V1 Swing Analysis, the Greg Norman Collection, Moretz Sportswear, Mercury Luggage, Tournament Solutions, Standard Golf Flags, Lantis Eyewear, The Perfect Club, Event Partners, Blistex and Ocean Potion.
About Special Olympics
Special Olympics is an international organization that changes lives by promoting understanding, acceptance and inclusion between people with and without intellectual disabilities. Through year-round sports training and athletic competition and other related programming for more than 1.7 million children and adults with intellectual disabilities in more than 150 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. There is no cost to participate in Special Olympics. Visit Special Olympics online at www.specialolympics.org.
Go to www.pga.com for complete scores. Visit www.specialolympics.org for additional event and player details.
