A field of 204 golfers from 24 U.S. Special Olympics programs participated in the ninth annual Special Olympics Golf National Invitational Tournament, last month at the PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla.
For the fourth consecutive year, the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America served as a supporting sponsor of the event. GCSAA superintendent member John Lee, director of agronomy, and the rest of the PGA Golf Club staff hosted more than 500 athletes, family, friends, volunteers, local dignitaries and golf organization executives from across the country.
GCSAA is joined by the PGA of America, USGA, PGA Tour, and LPGA in supporting the Special Olympics golf program. With the support of golf's allied organizations, Special Olympics golf has grown to include some 17,000 athletes participating throughout North America and thousands more in 25 international programs.
The Special Olympics is just one of several national events that GCSAA supports in addition to the countless national, state and local activities in which its members participate to grow the game of golf and enhance the communities in which they live.
“GCSAA members are tireless in their commitment to the game and to helping others,” GCSAA President David S. Downing II, CGCS, says. “Whether it is a charitable event at their facility, an activity in their community or coming together as a result of national disaster, GCSAA members are true leaders.
“Consider the thousands of golf events that are conducted to benefit others, from the professional tours to the local fundraisers. Then consider that every tournament has a superintendent and staff preparing the golf courses. The commitment is impressive. I appreciate and applaud all of those who give of their time.”