Special Olympics athletes tee off ahead of 2017 Medicine Hat Summer Games

The sky was big and bright and blue Saturday morning as roughly 20 Special Olympics athletes took to the placid Country Side Golf Club in Sherwood Park for the Special Olympics Alberta – Edmonton golf qualifier.

“Today’s event is the qualifier for provincials,” said Bill McLaren, head coach of the Special Olympics Alberta – Edmonton golf program. “We have athletes from Barrhead, Grand Prairie, St. Paul, Spruce Grove, and Edmonton all competing here today.”

Saturday’s golf tournament was the official qualifier for the 2017 Special Olympics Summer Games, which are scheduled to be held from July 7-9 in Medicine Hat. Athletes competing in the tournament will secure a spot to compete at the Provincial Games.


Over the course of the day the athletes would brave the heat and mosquitoes alike in a quiet but focused fashion. Determination radiated as they drove, chipped, and putted their way across nine tranquil holes.

Brad Crawford, a new-comer to Special Olympics Alberta – Edmonton, could hardly contain his excitement as he waited for his turn to drive his first ball home.

“I like Sherwood Park a lot,” he said. “They have beautiful golf courses.”

Crawford said he joined Special Olympics to be able to make friends and get some exercise. Even though he only joined the organization in March, he said Special Olympics has already had an impact on his life.

“I’ve met some really nice guys and made some great friends,” he said.

But athletes are not the only ones reaping the benefits of Special Olympics. Volunteers in brightly coloured shirts could also be spotted across the course Saturday, some keeping score while others carried bags and offered the advice of experienced caddies.

Bill McLaren, who has been an active volunteer with Special Olympics for nearly a decade, said working with the organization has been nothing short of remarkable.

“I know it’s an overworked phrase, but it’s been life changing,” he said. “They’re a very talented group and it’s a pleasure to deal with them.”

“They become your friends,” added Kaley McLaren, Special Olympics Alberta-Strathcona golf coach. “You get to see them every week and hear about their week and their stories of when they’ve gone out on the golf course and how they’ve done and if they got a birdie or a par. It’s always exciting.”

Bill went on to say that a lot of times these athletes are told what they can’t do rather than what they can do. He said tournaments like this give athletes the opportunity to compete, socialize, and accomplish something.

“We know fully well they can do it,” said Kaley. “They’re amazing golfers and they have amazing shots and it’s exciting to watch them grow every year. We’re excited leading up into provincials to see them develop even more and be those amazing athletes we know they can be.”

Learn more about the 2017 Special Olympics Summer Games in Medicine Hat, and be sure check your local competition in our community calendar.

You can also find more pictures from Saturday’s golf tournament by visiting our Facebook or Flickr page.