PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. – Throughout the summer, Keiser University College of Golf & Sport Management (COGSM) students have played important roles in training Special Olympics golfers from the Port St. Lucie (Fla.) area, and now the players and their coaches will soon see if all their hard work will pay off. The Florida State Special Olympics Golf Tournament will be held on Sep. 6-7, 2013, at the Orange Lake Resort & Golf Club in Orlando, and every one is eager to see who will bring home the gold.
More than a dozen Keiser University COGSM students have volunteered their time to provide weekly instruction to the Special Olympics golfers at the PGA Center for Golf Learning and Performance. Special Olympics Florida states that volunteers are the backbone of the Special Olympics movement, and that coaching, like that provided by KUCOG students, provides the greatest opportunity to create change in Special Olympics athletes.
“It was an honor and privilege for us to once again be involved in preparing the Special Olympics golfers for the State Golf Tournament this summer. This year’s Olympians have trained extremely hard and I know that each and everyone of them have the heart and determination to win,” says Keiser University College of Golf & Sport Management Executive Director of Golf Operations Dr. Eric Wilson, who is also a PGA Master Professional. “All of us at Keiser University College of Golf & Sport Management are very proud of the hard work and dedication shown by the Special Olympics golfers, and we’ll be there cheering them on as they chase the golf medals.
“But winning a medal is not the ultimate victory,” adds Dr. Wilson. “The real victory is overcoming challenges. The Special Olympics motto says ‘Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.’ and that’s a lesson for all of us.”
Dr. Wilson also serves as the chairman of the Special Olympics North America Golf Committee. Since 1992, he and his wife, Marilyn, have been dedicated to supporting Special Olympics golf worldwide and they have trained coaches and athletes all across the United States, as well as Ireland and South Africa.
Keiser University COGSM degree in Golf Management prepares students for a variety of positions in the golf industry. In this program, students are prepared to provide golf instruction, manage golf course operations, ensure appropriate maintenance of golf facilities and equipment, as well as integrate the play of golf into the broader hospitality and recreation domain. Keiser University COGSM’s Bachelor of Science in Sports Management degree (with a concentration in golf management) focuses on the managerial and business aspects of a career in golf. The curriculum supports an expanded professional role of sports managers and graduates of associate degree programs in golf, hospitality, fitness, sports, recreation and other related fields.
For more information on attending Keiser University College of Golf & Sport Management, please contact the College of Golf campus at 1860 Fountainview Blvd, Port St. Lucie, Fla.; online at www.CollegeofGolf.KeiserUniversity.edu; or call 888.355.4465.
About Keiser University:
Keiser University (KU) is a private, not-for-profit university serving nearly 20,000 students pursuing doctoral through associate degrees on 15 campuses and online and employing nearly 3,500 staff and faculty. Keiser University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award certificates and degrees at the associate, baccalaureate, masters, and doctoral levels. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Keiser University. Sixty-two percent of KU students graduate in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) and healthcare fields, providing the talented workforce necessary for Florida to compete globally. Keiser University’s educational reach extends globally through its international programs, including the Latin Division, a cooperative agreement in the Eastern European nation of Moldova, and an off-site campus in Shanghai, China.
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