Murray’s record-setting 73 earns first gold medal in ninth showing at national tournament
LINCOLN, Neb. – Special Olympics golfer Joel Murray of West Monroe, La., was one shot shy of the Special Olympics 18-hole tournament record yesterday when he shot a second-round 76 at the Highlands Golf Course in Lincoln, Neb. Murray, 28, began his final round today determined to beat the record and he did so in style with a string of three birdies on Holes #10, #11 and #12 for a final round, record-breaking 73 and the gold medal win of the Level V 18-hole individual stroke play event of the 2009 Special Olympics Golf National Invitational Tournament.
Murray, who shot 87-76-73-236, began the final round three shots back of local favorite Kyle Bugge, 22, of Bellevue, Neb., who shot 80-80-76-236. Because of the tournament ending tie, the final gold medal result was determined by a final round, back nine, scorecard playoff as allowed by the USGA Rules of Golf with Bugge shooting 40 on the back nine and Murray, 37.
“The exceptional play today by Joel, Kyle and more than 160 golfers at the 10th Annual Special Olympics Golf National Invitational Tournament is a brilliant example of how Special Olympics is providing an opportunity for children and adults with intellectual disabilities to grow in ability and confidence, and to earn the respect of their peers and the nation in what they achieve everyday,” said PGA of America President Jim Remy. “On behalf of the 28,000 men and women PGA Professionals across the United States, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to each and every Special Olympics golfer in Lincoln this week.”
Murray played in eight previous national tournaments, and won the Level V silver medal in 2005, the same year previous record-holder Kevin Erickson of Green Bay, Wisc., shot 90-78-75 – 243 for the gold medal win of the Level V competition. Murray began playing golf at age 10 with his father, Steve Murray, who owns Southern Pines Golf Club in Calhoun, La. Murray’s second round 76 and final round 73 are his personal best scores.
Bugge made his first appearance in the Special Olympics Golf National Invitational Tournament this year, shooting his personal best of 80 during Rounds 1 and 2, and then a new personal best of 76 during the final round. Bugge’s uncle taught him to play the game when he was nine and they continue to play together weekly in a Wednesday night men’s league.
In the Level IV 9-hole individual stroke play competition, Robert Calcote, 27, of Charleston, S.C., finished with a gold-medal lowest overall score of 48-47-52-147. In the Level III 18-hole Unified Team competition, Special Olympics golfer Scott Rohrer, 19, and his playing partner, Jeffrey Rohrer, shot 76-84-75-235 for the overall lowest score and gold medal win. In the Level II 9-hole alternate shot team competition, Special Olympics golfer Andrew Martinez, 24, and his playing partner, Michael Martinez, shot 42-46-42-130 for the overall lowest score and gold medal win. The Level I Individual Skills competition was won by Steven Longacre, 53, of Lincoln, Neb., who earned 61-61-68-197 for the most points overall in six golf skills contest.
More than 160 golfers from 18 U.S. Special Olympics programs participated in five levels of competition in the 10th annual Special Olympics Golf National Invitational Tournament, Aug. 1-3, at the Mahoney Golf Course and Highlands Golf Course in Lincoln.
The national golf tournament traveled to Lincoln this year as a precursor to the community’s hosting of the 2010 Special Olympics USA Summer Games and was held simultaneous to the 2009 Special Olympics Softball National Invitational Tournament at Fleming Fields Recreational Sports Park in Lincoln.
Special Olympics golf offers five levels of competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. 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. Special Olympics division’s athletes are based upon ability, age and gender to provide every athlete with an equal opportunity to excel in the sport.
Competition for Levels I, III & V was held at Highlands Golf Course, while Level II & IV competitors played at Mahoney Golf Course. Medal ceremonies were held immediately following the final round at each golf facility. The golf industry offered its support again with The PGA of America and USGA as presenting sponsors, and the GCSAA as supporting sponsor.
(Full results at www.pgamediacenter.com)
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
