Barbados’ Special Olympics athletes have had their first taste of golf and they seem to like the game.
Keith Boyce, a certified member of the Canadian Golf Teachers Federation, the United States Golf Teachers Federation and the World Golf Teachers Federation, recently conducted a fun-filled golf clinic for the eager athletes at the Rockley Golf and Country Club.
Boyce, a golf coach with Special Olympics Mississauga, Ontario, introduced the budding golfers to the rudiments of the sport with demonstrations of on-course safety, courtesy, stance, grip, swing and putting.
When it was time for the students to take club in hand, natural abilities and a love for the game began to emerge. Boyce was assisted in the clinic by two Special Olympics golfers from Mississauga – Aaron Lindsay and Arthur Rea Jr.
Lindsay and Rea have become accomplished golfers in a relatively short period of time under the tutelage of Boyce, and they were happy to share their knowledge with their fellow athletes.
Thanks to Boyce, Special Olympics Barbados not only has identified a strong interest in golf among its athletes, but now also has the equipment to take that interest to the next level.
He presented a full set of men’s clubs, a full set of women’s clubs and several practice clubs to the organization. In addition, the Rockley Golf and Country Club has also offered the use of its facilities to help train the athletes.
That leaves Special Olympics Barbados with one more important task, if golf is to be added to its sports programmes – recruiting and training coaches.
The volunteer coaching positions are especially suitable for retired men and women who know the sport of golf and are willing to give of their time to teach.
The skills they have developed over the years will be combined with training provided by Special Olympics in coaching individuals with intellectual challenges.
Coaching Special Olympics athletes is an extremely rewarding experience that is reinforced by the joy and accomplishment on the faces of the athletes. Those who are interested in becoming golf coaches can call Special Olympics Barbados for more information. (PR)