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Special Olympics South Africa and the PGA of SA join forces to promote golf amongst people with intellectual disabilities

Special Olympics South Africa and the PGA of SA have joined forces to deliver golf training and competition opportunities to individuals with an intellectual disability in Gauteng. The development program has seen Special Olympics athletes receiving weekly coaching by PGA apprentices before proceeding to a one day competition held on 9 June 2008 at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club in Linksfield.

There are more than one million individuals with intellectual disabilities in South Africa, many of whom live in social isolation, with little support or opportunities to participate in society. Special Olympics thus offers year round sports training and competition opportunities for both children and adults with an intellectual disability, giving them an opportunity to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and become integrated and valued members of our society.

“The Professional Golfers Association is indeed honoured to be part of the Special Olympics for Golf” says Dennis Bruyns, PGA Chief Executive. “It gives our trainee professionals the opportunity to gain coaching experience at the same time as making a valued contribution to our society. Sport gives us the opportunity to bring people together, and it is our belief that ‘golf’ – the game for everyone and the game of a lifetime - gives the best opportunity for this to happen. We look forward to being a part of this memorable occasion for all participants”.

The PGA of South Africa committed to provide 30 members each week to teach participants the fundamentals of the game and to take on the entire event management of the clinics and tournament.

The program has seen over 80 Special Olympics athletes going through weekly coaching clinics with PGA apprentices at Linksfield’s Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club. After almost 2 months of training and despite the icy conditions, just over 100 aspirant golfers were given an opportunity to show off their talent in either individual skills competition, 9 hole or 18 hole rounds in a one day tournament and were awarded for their position attained in true Special Olympics tradition.