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Special Olympics to Host Golf Clinic in St. George
By Stephen Vincent
Having finished competing in the Special Olympics Summer Games last month in Provo, the regional chapter of the Special Olympics is preparing for its next competition, which will be a series of golf tournaments in August and September.
To ready athletes, the Special Olympics are holding a golf clinic Mondays, from 4 to 5 p.m., starting July 16 at Southgate Golf Course. The six-week course is designed to prepare participants for the upcoming Special Olympics golf events.
The first tournament will take place Aug. 20, from 4 to 7 p.m., when the Special Olympics have their regional golf tournament, a nine-hole tournament.
Special Olympics of Utah will host their state meet at Rose Park and Jordan River golf courses in Salt Lake, Sept. 6-7.
Also, each September, the Special Olympics host a national meet in Florida on the PGA West Golf Course.
Brent Wade, a former assistant coach with BYU's golf team, will be coaching the clinic.
“If their skill level is good enough, they can participate in the national tournament in Florida,” Wade said. “That is our greatest desire: to have these kids participate in a national tournament.”
Each golf tournament has competitions in three areas: golf, golf skills and unified golf team play. The kids are further divided into skill levels for the tournament, which range from beginner to advanced.
The players are placed into their skill level based on how well they do in six skill areas: long putt, short putt, iron shot, wood shot, chip shot and pitch shot.
“These kids are not really that skilled at those things,” Wade said. “This is a place for them to learn those things.”
Additionally, Wade wants to emphasize teaching the kids how to use each of the clubs.
“It's very simple, very basic,” Wade said. “Our goal is to have these kids know how to hit the different clubs by the time the course is completed.”
Wade said 20 to 50 kids will attend the clinic, and it is open to kids living in the Special Olympics region, which includes Cedar City, St. George and Hurricane.
Besides golf, the clinic serves as a chance for the Special Olympians to socialize and develop friendships with people in the organization.
“It's just a big family,” Wade said. “There are numerous sports that these kids can participate (in) and practice. It's a place where they can get support, be active and feel appreciated and needed. And it's a place where they can relate.”
While Wade has been involved with the Special Olympics for nearly eight years, this is his first year coaching the Special Olympics. Wade was asked to coach the team by one of the regional leaders.
“I was delighted when they asked me to serve,” he said.
Wade said he wants to teach the game of golf to as many people as he can.
“I enjoy teaching people the sport of golf,” Wade said. “That's really the most rewarding thing: Giving of my time and talent to teaching these kids how to play golf.”
Wade became involved with the Special Olympics because his sister, Cindy, has Down syndrome. Wade said he has found his time with the Special Olympics gratifying.
“I just have a soft spot for these kids,” Wade said.

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