Spallumcheen Golf and Country Club played host to the Special Olympics regional qualifiers Saturday, June 22, when Vernon athletes looked to punch their ticket to next year's provincial games in Prince George.
Golfers from Vernon, Kamloops and Kelowna took part in the qualifiers, with the athletes playing the nine-hole executive course at Spallumcheen. Kelowna brought six golfers, Kamloops five, and Vernon three.
The Vernon team practices once a week and had to play six rounds this season before they could take part in the qualifiers.
"They have been gearing up and getting ready and I think they're all excited about it," Vernon Special Olympics local coordinator Marc Fisher said as his athletes prepared to tee off on hole one.
Fisher said tournaments like the regionals in Spallumcheen are a chance for the athletes to show their abilities, rather than having the focus be on their disabilities.
"It gives our athletes and our intellectually disabled individuals in the city a chance to get out into the public and just interact and meet people, socialize and participate," he added.
Fisher said the tournament was a great opportunity for his athletes to try to qualify for provincials next year. The year after that is nationals and in 2027 the Special Olympics World Games will take place in Santiago, Chile, after which the four-year cycle resets.
"I think it's great to see as many people out as we have, and we do appreciate all the support we get from the community," Fisher said Saturday.
