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Players Named For 4th Annual Special Olympics Golf National Invitational Tournament Contact Sherry Major PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (August 14, 2003) - A roster of 160 golfers has been announced for the fourth Annual Special Olympics Golf National Invitational Tournament, Sept. 13-16, at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla. The tournament will feature Special Olympics golfers from 26 U.S. Programs competing in one of five levels of competition. Golfers, ranging in age from 9 to 59 years old, will travel to PGA Golf Club from as far as Sacramento and as close as Lake Worth, Fla. The award-winning North and South Courses will showcase competitors, abilities for individual skills competition, nine-hole and 18-hole alternate shot team play and nine-hole and 18-hole individual stroke play. Nearly 400 Special Olympics golfers, volunteers, coaches, staff and family members will be housed at PGA Village, in Port St. Lucie. "The PGA of America welcomes the return of Special Olympics golfers to PGA Golf Club and looks forward to a spirited three days of competition," said PGA of America President M.G. Orender. "Their national tournament is the culmination of dedicated training by Special Olympics golfers and grassroots support by volunteers around the country. PGA members are a proud part of this volunteer network and salute the competitive spirit Special Olympics embodies." "The National Invitational Tournament provides players of all ability levels a chance to show the nation what they can do. These competitors represent over 9,000 other Special Olympics golfers who practice and play regularly in their communities across the United States but may never have a chance to compete at this level," said Jim Schmutz, Managing Director for Special Olympics North America. "Through support from The PGA of America and the United States Golf Association, and the awareness raised from this National event, Special Olympics golf continues to reach more athletes every year, who simply want to play the great game of golf." Last year, 159 Special Olympics golfers from 27 states competed in the national tournament at PGA Golf Club. A pair of father/son teams won both the nine-hole and 18-hole alternate shot team play competitions. In the individual stroke play competition, Joel Murray of West Monroe, La., shot a three-day gold medal total of 286 and will return to PGA Golf Club to attempt to top his personal best 18-hole score of 87. The PGA of America and USGA are presenting sponsors of the Special Olympics Golf National Invitational Tournament for the fourth year. Special Olympics USA national partners Cingular Wireless and M&M,s brand chocolate candy also add their support as corporate sponsors. Special Olympics is an international year-round program of sports training and competition for individuals with mental retardation. More than one million athletes in more than 150 countries train and compete in 26 summer and winter sports. According to Special Olympics, more than 9,000 Special Olympics golfers from 17 countries competed in 2002. Since The PGA first introduced golf to Special Olympics in 1988, the Association has donated more than $200,000 and countless hours by PGA Professionals for the training of Special Olympics golfers and their coaches. During the past decade, thousands of Special Olympics athletes have participated in golf clinics, training programs and competitions in the United States and in more than 20 countries around the world. |