IG187 MAY 21

May 2021 www.insidegolf.com.au www.facebook.com/InsideGolfIndustry IG business 22 w ww.nswvga.com. au Enjoy Golf with similar aged players? Looking for a fantastic social life? Like to play some of the best courses in regional NSW at any of the 52Weeks of Golf conducted by NSWVGA? Like to make new friends? Join New South Wales Veteran Golfers Association NOW and live the dream of golf, fellowship and travel. For more information go to nswvga.com.au Over 55? Gold medal winner Dylan Price with his caddie and Keperra GCG club champion Jarrod Mann. Keperra CGC to the fore for Special Olympics A group photo of Special Olympics (Qld) golf participants. D ESPITE the challenges faced in 2020 and 2021 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, Special Olympics Queensland last month successfully staged the 2021 State Games with the opening ceremony at the Morayfield Sport and Events Centre. There were 15 sports on the State Games program including golf. Keperra Country Golf Club, home of the Special Olympics Brisbane Falcons Golf Club, played host to 27 athletes from six clubs across Queensland. The State Games were the first to be held in any state or territory. It was also an opportunity for many athletes to gather and socialise since the initial impacts of Covid-19. “The State Games golf tournament is an important event not just for its prestige but it is also the selection trial giving players the opportunity to represent Queensland at the Special Olympics National Games golf competition to be held in Launceston in April 2022,” said Terry Price, who is the golf coach for Special Olympics Brisbane Falcons Club. Golf was contested in seven divisions across three forms of competition – the traditional 18-hole stroke play for men (Division 1 and 2) and women (Division 3), 9-hole stroke play (Division 4-6) and a 9-hole alternate shot competition (Division 7). The results were: 18-hole Division 1, Matthew Curley (gold medal), Kane Leonard (silver medal) and Craig Read (bronze medal). 18-hole Division 2: Brendan Borger (gold), Jiho Park (silver) and Troy Campbell (bronze). 18-hole Division 3: KathrynWilson (gold) and Natascha Tennent (silver). 9-hole Division 4: Dylan Price (gold), Ryan Paton (silver) and John Griffiths (bronze). 9-hole Division 5: Justin Grant (gold), Ashley George (silver) and Josiah Bradshaw (bronze). 9-hole Division 6: Mitchell Seeto (gold), Sebastian McCormick (silver) and Stephen Lawley (bronze). 9-hole Alternate Shot Division 7: Jet Chamberlain-Clark (gold), Shaun Beardmore (silver) and HaydenWeir (bronze). “Keperra Country Golf Club gave generously of their time, course and facilities to ensure a successful and enjoyable day for participants and their supporters,”Terry Price said. “Organisers of the event were overwhelmed by offers of assistance from volunteers from the club’s membership who participated as partners for the athletes competing in the nine-hole alternate shot competition. “And scorers and officials were on hand to resolve any issues, ensure pace of play and, most importantly, to encourage the athletes. “These volunteers were amazing and they all said that they had had a great time and enjoyed the opportunity with many asking if they could assist again in the future.” Seven athletes that train with the Brisbane Falcons Club Golf team did amazingly well, picking up one gold medal, two silver medals, two bronze medals and a fourth and fifth placing. “This is the result of the support provided by Keperra CGC and its membership as well as Richard Harris, head coach at Indooroopilly Golf Club, who voluntarily provides professional coaching,”Terry added. The Falcons alternate between playing golf at Keperra CGC and Indooroopilly GC. Special Olympics is a year-round multi- sports program for people with an intellectual disability, of all capabilities, that also provides access to competition pathways including Special Olympics World Games. Further information about participating in Special Olympics sports is available on the Special Olympics Australia website www.specialolympics.com.au