LINCOLN, Neb. – Special Olympics golfer Scott Rohrer of York, S.C., concluded a banner week of play at the Highlands Golf Course Wednesday, posting a second consecutive 3-over-par 75 for a 54-hole Special Olympics national competition scoring record of 5-over-par 221, earning the gold medal in the Level V Individual Stroke Play event of the 2010 Special Olympics USA National Games, held July 19-21 in Lincoln, Neb.
Rohrer, 21, collected four birdies, offsetting a triple bogey on the 10th and three bogeys on the 5,142-yard, par-72 layout. Rohrer opened the tournament Monday with an 18-hole event record and personal-best 1-under-par 71. Rohrer began his final round on the 10th hole with a triple bogey. “I had a rough start getting that triple bogey, but I just didn’t let it phase me. I knew I had to focus on my game and I wouldn’t worry on it,” said Rohrer.
Scott’s mother, Elizabeth, was his caddie and Scott’s father, Jeff, was the head golf coach for the South Carolina golf delegation at the Games.
“Five over par for three days is unbelievable,” said Scott’s father, Jeff Rohrer. “I saw him struggle with his start on the 10th hole, but then went to help at the Level I competition. When he came in with a 75 I thought to myself that this boy turned it around and really got it together. I’m as proud as a coach and dad can be.”
LEVEL I, II, III, IV BEST SCORES:
In the Level IV 9-hole individual stroke play competition at the USA National Games, Chase Turri, 22, of Alamogordo, N.M., finished with a gold-medal lowest overall score of 43-44-46-133. In the Level III 18-hole Unified Team competition, Special Olympics golfer Clint Blalock, 19, of Lebanon, Tenn., and his playing partner Eddy Blalock, shot – 98-99-91-288 to grab a gold medal and the lowest overall score.
In the Level II 9-hole alternate shot team competition, Special Olympics golfer Christopher Lussier, 18, of Cranston, R.I., and playing partner Alan Lussier shot 42-43-39-124 for the overall lowest score and gold medal win. The Level I Individual Skills competition was won by Jada Goodson, 15, of Virginia Beach, Va., who earned 68-75-70-213 for the most points overall in six golf skills contest.
(Full results at www.2010SpecialOlympics.org and www.pgamediacenter.com)
A field of 179 golfers representing 39 states competed at the 2010 Special Olympics USA National Games. Golf is one of 13 competitive sports at the USA National Games, which has attracted nearly 3,000 Special Olympics athletes from across the United States in the largest multi-sport event in the history of Nebraska, and one of this year’s largest multi-sport events in the United States.
Special Olympics golf, part of the worldwide Special Olympics sports movement for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, offers five levels of competition for athletes of all 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 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 was held at Highlands Golf Course, while Level II & IV competitors played at Mahoney Golf Course. Awards ceremonies for the golf competition followed Wednesday’s final round.
(Full results at www.2010SpecialOlympics.org and www.pgamediacenter.com)
Previous Golf Special Events:
PGA of America Proclamation:
PGA of America Honorary President Brian Whitcomb of Bend, Ore., presented a formal PGA of America proclamation of support to Special Olympics North America Monday, July 19, on the Fan Fest stage of Special Olympics Town.
“The PGA of America first approached Special Olympics in 1988 to offer golf as an official Special Olympics sport,” said Whitcomb. “Since then, many of our 28,000 men and women PGA Professionals have been proud to champion the growth of Special Olympics golf in their communities across the United States and today, some 18,000 Special Olympics athletes enjoy playing golf with their friends, family members and fellow athletes. It is my honor to offer The PGA of America’s continued support of Special Olympics golf with an official PGA of America Proclamation.”
PGA Play Golf America Experience
The PGA of America and the Nebraska PGA Section also were hosts Monday (July 19) to the PGA Play Golf America Experience – a complimentary clinic for all Special Olympics athletes and spectators featuring PGA Professional expert instruction at the Special Olympics Sports Experience within Special Olympics Town at the Pershing Auditorium in Lincoln. Hundreds of athletes, family members, volunteers and Games spectators received free instruction and golf tips from Nebraska PGA Professionals.
Golf Venue Sponsors — Having supported the growth of and development of Special Olympics Golf since it began in 1988, The PGA of America and USGA provided assistance at the USA National Games with rules, tournament administration and course setup, in addition to financial contributions. Nebraska Section PGA Professionals volunteered throughout competitive rounds as rules officials and tournament operators.
About the 2010 Special Olympics USA National Games
The 2010 Special Olympics USA National Games in Lincoln, Neb. showcase and celebrate the Special Olympics movement and athletes from across the United States, while illustrating the power of sports to educate and inform about the true abilities and achievements of people with intellectual disabilities. From July 18-23, 2010, nearly 3,000 athletes will compete in 13 Olympic-style sports, with the support of 1,000 coaches, 8,000 volunteers and an estimated 15,000 family and friends. In addition to sports, the USA National Games will offer various programs in health, wellness and education. To learn more, please visit www.2010specialolympics.org.
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 3.5 million athletes in over 170 countries in all regions of the world, providing year-round sports training, athletic competition and other related programs. Special Olympics now takes place every day, changing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities in places like China and from regions like the Middle East to the community playgrounds and ball fields in every small neighborhood’s backyard. Special Olympics provides people with intellectual disabilities continuing opportunities to realize their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy and friendship. Visit Special Olympics at www.specialolympics.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. The PGA of America brand represents the very best in golf.
The PGA of America is divided into 41 geographical sections providing a grassroots network to accomplish direct communication with the nation’s 27 million amateur golfers. For more information on The PGA, visit www.PGA.com. For more information on the Nebraska PGA Section, visit www.nebraskapga.com.
About the USGA
The USGA is the national governing body of golf in the USA and Mexico. The USGA annually conducts the U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open, U.S. Senior Open and 10 national amateur championships. It also conducts two state team championships and helps conduct the Walker Cup Match, Curtis Cup Match and World Amateur Team Championships.
The USGA also writes the Rules of Golf, conducts equipment testing, provides expert course maintenance consultations, maintains a Handicap System® and celebrates the history of the game. Since 1983, the USGA Turfgrass and Environmental Research Program has awarded more than $31 million to more than 400 research projects for better turf and a better environment at universities across the country. The USGA also funds an ongoing “For the Good of the Game” grants program, which has allocated more than $65 million over 13 years to programs that bring the game’s values to youths from disadvantaged backgrounds and people with disabilities. For more information about the USGA, visit www.usga.org.
Contact:
Jennifer Brooks
Special Olympics
202-824-0237
jdbrooks@specialolympics.org
Sarah Van Dalsem
USA National Games
402-889-3412
vandalsem@2010specialolympics.org
Sherry Major
The PGA of America
305-318-5208
sherrymajor@verizon.net
The PGA of America
100 Avenue of the Champions, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418
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