PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – Nearly 1,000 Special Olympics athletes, coaches, volunteers, plus national sports governing body officials will gather on Friday, July 31, for Opening Ceremonies of the Special Olympics National Invitational Tournament. The 2009 invitational event will host national golf and softball tournaments for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, in Lincoln, Nebraska, August 1-3, 2009.
The 10th edition of the Special Olympics Golf National Invitational Tournament, with a field of 163 golfers from 18 U.S. Special Olympics programs, travels to Lincoln this year as a precursor to the community’s hosting of the 2010 Special Olympics USA Summer Games. Olympic-style Opening Ceremonies will tee off the 2009 tournament on the campus of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Three competitive golf rounds will be played Aug. 1-3 at Mahoney Golf Course and Highlands Golf Course, with medal ceremonies held immediately following the final round at each golf facility on Mon., Aug. 3. The golf industry has pledged its support again with The PGA of America and USGA as presenting sponsors, and the GCSAA as supporting sponsor.
Special Olympics golf offers five levels of competition for athletes of different abilities. Level I is 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 athletes 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. Competition for levels I, III & V will take place at Highlands Golf Course, while Level II & IV competitors will play at Mahoney Golf Course.
Thirteen softball teams from eight U.S. programs will compete in the 2009 Special Olympics Softball National Invitational Tournament, August 1-3, at Fleming Fields Recreational Sports Park in Lincoln.
About Special Olympics
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 nearly 3.1 million athletes in 175 countries in all regions of the world, providing year-round sports training, athletic competition and other related programs. Visit Special Olympics at www.specialolympics.org.
2010 Special Olympics USA National Games
The Special Olympics Golf National Invitational Tournament travels to Lincoln, Nebraska, in 2009 as a precursor to the community’s hosting of the 2010 Special Olympics USA Summer Games. More than 3,500 Special Olympics athletes will compete in 13 athletic competitions, including golf, in the Lincoln, Nebraska, area. For more information visit, www.2010specialolympicsgames.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 multi-billion dollar 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. Visit www.PGA.com for more information.
Contact:
Sherry Major, PGA of America
716/662-3855, sherrymajor@verizon.net
Kirsten Seckler, Special Olympics
202/715-1147, kseckler@specialolympics.org
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