Special Olympics National Invitational Tournament On Horizon


September 7, 2005

More than 200 golfers from 28 states are set to descend on Ames , Iowa , for the 2005 Special Olympics National Invitational Tournament to be held Sept. 16-19 at Ames Golf and Country Club and Coldwater Golf Links.

While this program is supported primarily by the USGA and the PGA of America, this year support is welcomed from the PGA Tour, LPGA Tour and Golf Course Superintendents Association of America.  The sixth annual National Invitational Tournament features five levels of competition, ranging from an individual skills competition to an 18-hole stroke-play championship.

Golf is the only one of the 26 sports offered by Special Olympics that has a dedicated annual event.

"Since 1991, the USGA Grants Program has focused on making golf available to all segments of our population, including golfers with disabilities," said USGA President Fred Ridley . "It is extremely gratifying to support Special Olympics golf not only because it promotes golf to those with disabilities, but also because it brings families closer together in the process."

Entry-level participants compete in the Level 1 event, which features a skills contest that tests the golfer's ability with a wood shot, iron shot, a pitch shot, a chip shot, a long putt and a short putt.

Level 2 is a nine-hole alternate shot format that teams a Special Olympics player with a non-Special Olympics golfer with more advanced skill and knowledge. Level 3 is similar to Level 2, but the competition is over 18 holes. Level 4 features an individual nine-hole stroke-play event and Level 5 is an 18-hole individual competition.

Two years ago, Special Olympics golfer Kevin Erickson of Wisconsin posted three rounds in the 70s en route to his first gold medal.  His second round 76 is an NIT 18-hole scoring record, which included a hole-in-one.  Erickson won another gold medal at the 2004 National Invitational Tournament and is looking for three straight in Ames .

Last year, Erickson teamed with 1990 U.S. Junior Amateur champion and 2001 British Open winner David Duval in a match against Duval's father, Bob, and Special Olympics golfer Oliver Doherty of Ireland that was entitled "A Tee Time Like No Other."

More than 200 volunteers will be on hand for this year's NIT, which will include a Nicklaus Putting Championship, V1 Swing Analysis, GCSAA Guided Golf Course Walking Tours, a Peter Long Trick Shot Show and a viewing of "A Tee Time Like No Other."

Special Olympics offer year-round sports training and athletic competition in 26 Olympic-type sports to children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Participation is open to anyone ages 8 and older, and programs are designed to serve all ability levels.

Further information on Special Olympics can be found at www.specialolympics.org. For those who can't make it to Iowa for the 2005 NIT, they can register for the NIT Webcast at www.specialolympicsgolf.org, which will provide daily updates from the day's events as well as stories from the competition. Each communication will be loaded with pictures, inspirational stories and highlights of the day.

David Shefter is a staff writer for the USGA. E-mail him with questions or comments at dshefter@usga.org.