Reed On The Greens, by Jeffrey Reed
August 19, 2014
Across Canada, 1,209 golfers are registered in Special Olympics programs. It’s a little-known fact that London has Canada’s largest Special Olympics golf program with 72 athletes participating this summer.
When Special Olympics Global Ambassador for Golf, Padraig Harrington, learned of London’s Special Olympics success on the links, he couldn’t say enough about our community.
“Wow. That is one of the largest golf programs for Special Olympics athletes who are golfers,” said the Irishman, a three-time major winner on the PGA Tour. “I’m impressed. Good for them.”
Since 2010, Harrington has helped spread the Special Olympics’ message of acceptance and inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities. An advisor to the Special Olympics Sports Resource Team on golf, Harrington takes an active role as he participates in special golf training sessions with athletes and coaches, and fronts a recruitment campaign targeted towards securing more Special Olympics golf coaches.
Harrington wears red laces in his golf shoes as part of Special Olympics’ Wear The Laces campaign, which raises funds and awareness for Special Olympics internationally. The symbolic aim of the project is to get people to walk side by side, tied together by a common thread of respect and inclusion.
“Since I’ve been a Special Olympics ambassador, I have received much more than I have given,” said Harrington. “The Special Olympics athletes I have been fortunate enough to have met are so enthusiastic all of the time, it is contagious.”
Special Olympics is an international organization that changes lives by encouraging and empowering people with intellectual disabilities, promoting acceptance for all, and fostering communities of understanding and respect worldwide. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the Special Olympics movement has grown from a few hundred athletes to more than 3.3 million athletes in over 170 countries in all regions of the world, providing year-round sports training, athletic competition and other related programs.
In London, more than 250 volunteers support over 425 athletes in 18 sports. In addition, two new programs – Active Start, and FUNDamentals – now include younger children ages 2 to 9 in Special Olympics programs.
“The motto announced at the beginning of each sports event is, ‘Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt,’” said Rick Walker, community co-chair, Special Olympics Ontario London.
“It is our role as volunteers to help enhance the lives of people with intellectual disabilities through the medium of sport,” added Walker. According to Harrington, “I believe that the game of golf can inspire Special Olympics athletes to reach for their goals and enjoy the benefits the game brings.”
A number of local golf courses, including Fanshawe Golf Course’s Parkside 9, The Fox Golf Club, Dorchester Golf Club and Forest Glen Golf Centre host local Special Olympics golfers. On August 4, the Parkside 9 hosted 54 London and area athletes at a Chipper (beginner) level golf tournament.
On August 11, 72 Eagle (advanced) level golfers from across Southern Ontario were slated to compete at The Fox. Many of these athletes have competed at the Provincial level, and several recently competed at the Special Olympics National Summer Games in Vancouver.
Special Olympics Ontario London treasurer and fundraising committee chair, Bill Mills, oversees the 18th Annual London Golf Tournament for Special Olympics August 15 at Maple Ridge Golf Club.
“Maple Ridge is a golfer-friendly course, so it, too, includes many levels of golfers,” said Mills.
“Special Olympics athletes are enthusiastic,” said Harrington, adding he takes his role of ambassador as seriously as his golf game.
“They’re just great people to work with. They’re enthusiastic, optimistic. You get a real buzz from working with them.”
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