PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Personal best scores were achieved. New friends were made. Gold medals were won. And, the rain that pervaded much of the southern peninsula of Florida seemed to miraculously sidestep the 9th Annual Special Olympics Golf National Invitational Tournament, Oct. 3-6, 2008, at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla.

More than 200 golfers with intellectual disabilities from 24 U.S. Special Olympics programs competed in one of five levels of competition on the club's Ryder and Wanamaker Courses. The national tournament returned to PGA Golf Club for the fifth time in the history of the event.

The final round began with guest "official starter" Adam Barr, an on-air reporter for Golf Channel. "I wish you the very best of luck in today's final round," said Barr. "And while I know you will play some amazing golf, today is not so much about winning, but enjoying the game; and, based on what I've heard over breakfast, there is no one more qualified to enjoy the game than you. All morning I have heard you wish each other luck over and over again and so I send you off to the final round of your national championship wishing you the same."

As part of a worldwide sports training and competition program for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, Special Olympics golf 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 Sports 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.

Day 3 Notes & Quotes:
Special Olympics golfer Buddy Randall of Wylie, Texas, played in the Level IV 9-Hole Individual Stroke Play competition with the caddie assistance of Golfweek Deputy Editor Steve Harmon who volunteered at the tournament. "I liked having Steve out there with me today," said Randall. "He helped me read a few greens and always picked the right club for me."

Harmon said that his volunteer experience exceeded his expectations. "The atmosphere here is electric and everyone is so joyful," said Harmon. "You can see it in the smiles on the participants' faces how much it means to them to be recognized. Golf does great things to their self esteem."

In the Level V 18-Hole Individual Stroke Play competition, Jason Wright of Ozark, Mo., shot an 86-77-85—248. "Today, it was hard to get my rhythm on the front nine and I shot a 46," said Wright. "But, I played much better on the back nine and was able to shoot 39." Wright's second round 77 featured an eagle-3 at the par-5 11th hole and birdies at the 10th and 15th holes at the PGA Golf Club's Ryder Course.

In the Level IV 9-Hole Individual Stroke Play competition, Mitchell Hern of Alexandria, Minn., won his second national tournament gold medal with a 50-46-52—148. "I just wanted to go out, have fun and do my best," said Hern. "I didn't even bring my driver. I hit my irons really well this week and gave myself really good second shots."

In the Level III, Unified Sports Team Play competition, the team Raymond brothers, Bradley (athlete) and Gary (partner), of Columbia, S.C., won the gold medal with a 95-88-87—270. "My father introduced me to the game some 20 years ago," said Bradley Raymond. "In my four years at the national tournament, I didn't win a gold medal until I played with my brother."

In the Level II 9-Hole Alternate Shot Team Play competition, the father-son team of Steven Jr. & Steven Sr. Binggeli of Clarkesville, Ind., won the gold medal for the men's division I with a 49-49-48--146. "We played better today than the last two days but have really enjoyed great competition all three days," said Binggeli Sr. "We've been playing together for 15 years and enjoy a round together every weekend." Binggeli Jr. works as a greens-keeper during the golf season at Jeffersonville (Ind.) Elks Golf Club. "We can't wait to call Joe (Jeffersonville's PGA Professional) and tell him the great news," Binggeli Sr. said.

In the Level I Individual Skills competition, Lori Thomas of Orlando, Fla., scored 50-69-51--180 points in six golf skills contests. "This is my first year and I've had a really good time," said Thomas. "There are a lot of good people here… athletes, coaches, staff, parents and volunteers." Thomas also participates in Special Olympics basketball, volleyball and bowling.

Friday-Sunday Notes:
The tournament teed off on Friday, Oct. 3, with Opening Ceremonies similar in style to the Olympic Games. Emcee responsibilities for the event were shared by Special Olympics global messenger and Special Olympics golfer Alex Perry who was joined by Tim Rosaforte, a senior writer for Golf Digest, on-air contributor for the Golf Channel and NBC Sports and a New York Times Best-Selling author.

Honored guests included PGA of America CEO Joe Steranka and USGA Past President Dr. Trey Holland. Steranka addressed the audience and congratulated Special Olympics on celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2008. "Since The PGA of America first introduced golf to Special Olympics in 1988, our Association and our PGA Professionals from around the country have been proud to be everyday national and hometown advocates for the program."

"Through golf, the public's perspective on Special Olympics athletes has grown to know these individuals as enthusiastic golfers who train hard, enjoy their good shots and truly embody the spirit of the great game of golf."

Opening Ceremonies came to a close with the lighting of the cauldron and the recitation of the Special Olympics oath originally penned in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver - "Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt."

On Saturday, Oct. 4, a special PGA Play Golf America Clinic and Skills Contest was held for Special Olympics competitors. Designed to showcase the game of golf in a fun and motivational atmosphere, the clinic was presented by PGA Honorary Member and renowned trick shot entertainer Dennis Walters. The clinic was followed by a golf skills contest at the PGA Golf Club's Short Course, short game bunker and practice green areas, where Special Olympics golfers had an opportunity to compete for fun and prizes in four golf skills contests. Prizes were provided by the PGA Golf Club and Golf Digest.

The annual tournament dinner banquet was held on Sunday, Oct. 5, for athletes, partners, coaches and family members at the PGA Learning Center. The banquet program featured speaker Steve Harmon, Golfweek Deputy Editor, who entertained the audience with stories on the newsmakers of golf in 2008 including the PGA Professional Ryan Ely of Hawk's Landing in Orlando, Fla. passing his 10th attempt of the member's Playing Ability Test, Tiger Woods' season-ending knee injury and the recent U.S. Ryder Cup Team's victory at Valhalla Golf Club. Harmon also volunteered during the final round as a caddie for a Special Olympics athlete and as an awards presenter during the closing ceremony.

The golf industry 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.

For more information on the tournament, The PGA or PGA Golf Club, please visit www.PGA.com. For more information on Special Olympics, please visit www.specialolympics.org.

Contact: Sherry Major
Oct. 6, 2008 716/662-3855
smajor@reedexpo.com