Nearly 200 golfers with intellectual disabilities from across the United States participated in the eighth annual Special Olympics Golf National Invitational Tournament, Sept. 14-17 at the PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla.
For the third consecutive year, the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America served as a supporting sponsor of the event. GCSAA Class A member Doug Miller, director of agronomy, and the rest of the PGA Golf Club staff hosted more than 500 athletes, playing partners, family members and Special Olympic staff members.
GCSAA’s sponsorship of the Special Olympics is just one of several events that it supports on a national basis and among the countless national, state and local activities in which its members participate to grow the game of golf and enhance the communities in which they live.
"GCSAA members are tireless in their commitment to the game and to helping others," GCSAA President Ricky D. Heine said. "Whether it is a charitable event at their facility, an activity in their community or coming together as a result of national disaster, GCSAA members are true leaders.
"Consider the thousands of golf events that are conducted to the benefit of others, from the professional tours to the local fundraisers. Then consider that every tournament has a superintendent and staff preparing the golf courses. The commitment is impressive. I appreciate and applaud all of those who give of their time."
In addition to the Special Olympics event, this year GCSAA provided support for the America Junior Golf Association’s Care Fore the Course program, Patriot Golf Day, Women’s Golf Week and Take Your Daughter to the Course Week. It also contributed to other activities to enhance the game including the PGA National Minority Golf Championship, The First Tee, the USGA’s JuniorLinks Web site, among others.
GCSAA is a leading golf organization and has as its focus golf course management. Since 1926, GCSAA has been the top professional association for the men and women who manage golf courses in the United States and worldwide. From its headquarters in Lawrence, Kan., the association provides education, information and representation to more than 21,000 members in more than 72 countries. GCSAA’s mission is to serve its members, advance their profession and enhance the enjoyment, growth and vitality of the game of golf. The association’s philanthropic organization, The Environmental Institute for Golf, works to strengthen the compatibility of golf with the natural environment through research grants, support for education programs and outreach efforts. Visit GCSAA at www.gcsaa.org.
Contact:
Jeff Bollig, GCSAA director of communications
800-472-7878, ext. 4430 or jbollig@gcsaa.org
