Hilton Head Island, SC – Port Royal Golf Club, a Heritage Golf Group property, is honored to be selected by Special Olympics to host the 2015 Special Olympics North America Golf Invitational Tournament, September 10-13, 2015.
The Special Olympics North America Golf Invitational Tournament at Port Royal Golf Club will start with an Opening Ceremony, which will be held the evening of Thursday, September 10. The Golf Competition will be held Friday, September 11 through Sunday, September 13. All competition events are free and open to spectators.
There are five levels of competition which are based on skill level:
• Level I Individual Skills Contest (10:30am shotgun start daily)
• Level II Unified Sports Alternate Shot 9-hole Team Play (9:30am shotgun start daily)
• Level III Unified Sports Alternate Shot 18-hole Team Play (8:30am shotgun start daily)
• Level IV Individual Stroke 9-hole Competition (9:30am shotgun start daily)
• Level V Individual Stroke 18-hole Competition (8:30am shotgun start)
Port Royal Golf Club will welcome an estimated 240 Special Olympics Athletes and Unified Partners – the largest attendance for the regional golf tournament to date – and over 250 volunteers, along with families, proud supporters, and staff. KPMG serves as the Presenting Sponsor of the tournament, with additional support from the PGA Tour and the United States Golf Association (USGA). KPMG will send 60-70 employee volunteers to help with the event. “Heritage Golf Group is extremely excited to host the Special Olympics North America Golf Invitational Tournament at Port Royal Golf Club. Any time we have an opportunity to host an international event it is an honor. Additionally, it is truly rewarding to be part of such an incredible organization dedicated to serving nearly 5 million athletes world-wide with intellectual disabilities which brings sports into their lives,” said Rick Shoemaker, Director of Operations for the Heritage Golf Collection on Hilton Head Island. “As a Board Member of the National Alliance for Accessible Golf and a PGA Member, I hope everyone takes the time to see how they can be involved with Special Olympics – whether it is as a volunteer, supporting a participant, or as a fan who enjoys great golf!”
Special Olympics Athletes and Unified Partners will compete for awards in each level of competition. Competitors will be placed into divisions (based upon age, gender and ability level), affording each athlete the opportunity to showcase their skills. “There is no game better than golf that balances our competitive instincts with our social enjoyment with each other. Golf is a welcoming game for all ages, no matter what anyone’s ability level may be,” said Davis Sezna, CEO and Partner of Heritage Golf Group.
Special Olympics’ Golf Program began in 1988 with the assistance of The PGA of America and USGA. Since then both associations contribute to the growth of the Program with grassroots training, rules education, tournament administration, and national program financial support. Currently, more than 22,940 Special Olympics North America Athletes participate in Golf Competition.
For more information on events at Port Royal Golf Club or the Heritage Golf Collection on Hilton Head Island, please call 1-800-2-FIND-18 or email infoathh@heritagegolfgroup.com.
ABOUT PORT ROYAL GOLF CLUB
Port Royal Golf Club (www.portroyalgolfclub.com) is nestled within one of Hilton Head Island’s most pristine plantations along the Atlantic coastline, on the northwestern point of Hilton Head Island. The Club features 54 holes of resort golf. This golf haven was designed by some of the best golf architects – George Cobb, Pete Dye, and Willard C. Byrd. It has also been honored with the presence of some of golf’s legendary players, having hosted the Champions Tour Hilton Head Seniors International. Recently, in 2014, Port Royal Golf Club was recognized by World Property Channel as one of the “Top 10 ‘Exotic’ Golf Courses in the World.” The Club is also recognized for world-class tennis programs, winning “Top 50 Greatest U.S. Tennis Resorts,” by Tennis Magazine for the previous eight consecutive years and “Top 50 Resorts,” by Tennis Resorts Online in 2014.
ABOUT SPECIAL OLYMPICS
Special Olympics is a global movement that unleashes the human spirit through the transformative power and joy of sports, every day around the world. We empower people with intellectual disabilities to become accepted and valued members of their communities, which leads to a more respectful and inclusive society for all. Using sports as the catalyst and programming around health and education, Special Olympics is fighting inactivity, injustice and intolerance. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the Special Olympics movement has grown to nearly 5 million athletes in 170 countries. With the support of more than 1.3 million coaches and volunteers, Special Olympics delivers 32 Olympic-type sports and more than 81,000 games and competitions throughout the year. Special Olympics is supported by individuals, foundations and partners, including the Christmas Records Trust, the Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics, The Coca-Cola Company, The Walt Disney Company and ESPN, Lions Clubs International, Mattel, Microsoft, P&G, Bank of America, Essilor Vision Foundation, the B. Thomas Golisano Foundation, Finish Line, The Safeway Foundation, and Safilo Group.
Visit Special Olympics at www.specialolympics.org or engage on Twitter @specialolympics; fb.com/specialolympics; youtube.com/specialolympicshq; and instagram.com/specialolympics.
ABOUT HERITAGE GOLF GROUP
Heritage Golf Group (www.heritagegolfgroup.com), established in 1999, is a leading owner and operator of premier private, resort and daily fee golf properties across the United States. The Heritage Golf Group portfolio represents some of the most well-known and acclaimed golf properties spanning Florida, South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, and Texas. The key to our success is the development of customized facilities and tailored operational systems to augment each individual club’s one-of-a-kind assets. Furthermore, we are constantly expanding our team of experts in operations, golf, culinary, lodging, fitness, agronomy, and special events. Backed by the financial strength of Tower Three Partners, an operationally oriented private equity firm, Heritage Golf Group is uniquely poised to expand through the acquisition of a tightly focused and selective group of first-class clubs. Under the leadership of Davis Sezna (CEO, Partner), Heritage Golf Group is evolving the private club and golf business experience to the highest level-on the cutting edge of tradition-by honoring the current traditions while enhancing and elevating the member experience.
Contact:
Lisa Dahlstrom (843) 681-1707
