Special Olympics golf tournament set Sept. 27 at Maple Dale Country Club in Dover
Some 50 Special Olympics athletes and unified partners from across the state are set to tee off at the annual Special Olympics Delaware State Golf Tournament set for Tuesday, Sept. 27, at Maple Dale Country Club. The tournament is played over nine holes in alternate-shot format with each Special Olympics athlete paired with a unified partner (a peer without a disability). Athletes and unified partners have trained together for the past several months by attending clinics and outings. Unified partners are usually parents, siblings, relatives or friends of the athletes.
In addition to the tournament, select athletes are competing in a skills event featuring driving, chipping and putting contests.
The event begins with an Opening Ceremony at 12:45 p.m. followed by a shotgun start at 1 p.m. for the alternate-shot tournament and the skills competition at approximately 1:15 p.m. An awards ceremony takes place for all golfers at approximately 3:30 p.m.
“Our golfers have worked hard at honing their games at clinics and during outings leading up to the state tournament,” said Mark Wise, who coordinates the golf program for Special Olympics. “Now they have an opportunity to show off what they’ve learned on one of the finest golf courses in the state. We are very grateful and fortunate that Maple Dale is willing to host this event.” Maple Dale Country Club donates the use of the golf course for the day.
