Golf Brings Out Gold-Medal Spirit For USA Special Olympian

August 15, 2008

By Erica Goodman, USGA

Mike Sheperd looked to his son, Ian, and shrugged, "It's all up to you, buddy."

All week, the par-3, eighth hole at Shanghai's Tianma Country Club had been kind to the elder Sheperd. But now with the team in gold-medal contention at the 2007 Special Olympics World Games, Mike suddenly caught a case of nerves and flubbed his tee shot.

Now it was all up to his son.

Ian Sheperd, left, won his second Special Olympics gold medal in golf. (USGA)

The Sheperds were matched with a pair representing China, the home team. The all-star spirit, however, was with Ian, who had won a gold medal in skiing three years ago. No stranger to championship pressure, Ian used his patience and precision to knock his tee shot 5 feet from the flagstick. The perfectly executed stroke enabled Ian and Mike Shepard to bring home gold for Team USA.

Forty years ago, the Special Olympics torch, dubbed the "Flame of Hope," illuminated the possibility for millions of people with intellectual disabilities to learn and grow through competitive sports. The biennial World Games spotlight the courage, character, and dedication of these individuals. Now a two-time World Games gold medalist, Ian epitomizes the virtues of the competition, having accomplished more as an athlete than people twice his age despite his intellectual disability.

His interest in golf was sparked out of curiosity and the desire to try new things. When he realized Special Olympics Rhode Island offered golf, he jumped at the chance to add the game to his already vast repertoire of athletic pursuits, which included basketball, skiing and sailing. Golf has become another vehicle for Ian's personal development.

"It is competition against yourself," said his father Mike, who became a USGA Member after volunteering at the 2006 U.S. Women's Open at Newport (R.I.) Country Club. "It is something different for Ian than a team sport where he can work to better himself."

Ian has played golf for more than six years. His introduction to the game and skills development took place at Button Hole short course and learning center. An emerald jewel in urban Providence, R.I., Button Hole was a former trash site converted to a junior-friendly golf course through a renewal project. The organization encourages all to play, regardless of background or ability, and has hosted spring and summer golf lessons for Special Olympic athletes since its opening in 1999. The United States Golf Association has supported the organization, awarding more than $426,000 to fund the course's construction and programming for disadvantaged juniors.

After practice and preparation at Button Hole, Ian then partnered with his father in competition. Golf is one of numerous unified sports in which a Special Olympics athlete is matched with an able-bodied partner. Pairings are often with family members but can also be community volunteers and mentors. In his father, Ian has found the ideal pairing.

"[We] have fun playing golf," explained Ian, "and he teaches me a lot."

That education works both ways. "Ian has taught me patience," said Mike.

The World Games experience in Shanghai not only improved their golf games, but the bonding between father and son grew even greater.

The Sheperds epitomize the true spirit of the game - honesty, integrity, perseverance - on and off the course.

"They did as much good for Chinese-American relations as a room full of ambassadors," said Marcus King, general manager of Sand Point Country Club and captain for Team USA. "Their modesty was exemplary. They truly let their golf clubs do the talking."

When the final match concluded, the Sheperds shook hands with their opponents, patting them on the back and sharing one final moment of camaraderie.

As he reflected back on the competition, Ian, like any competitor, thought about shots he left out on the course. What about his greatest obstacles? It's one shared by many: not hitting the ball in a water hazard.

In the end, however, the benefits clearly outweigh the challenges and Ian and his father will continue to practice at Button Hole with hopes of qualifying again to defend their title at the 2011 Summer Games.

As Ian said, "[golf] is quite a game."

Erica Goodman is a USGA Fellow based in Colorado Springs, Colo. E-mail her with questions or comments at egoodman@usga.org .