Bader, Jake - Special Olympics Training Program

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Property: Colwood GC

Location: Portland, OR

Program Contact: Jake Bader

Contact Phone/Email: (503) 254-5515, jakebader@pga.com

Name of PD Program: Special Olympics Training Program

Type of PD Program: Other

Dates of Program: 8 week training program May through June

Details of Program

I supported 4 Special Olympics athletes this year at Colwood with a new training program. The Oregon Chapter PGA Player Development Grant helped make it possible for these athletes to participate.

We have a few different types of competitors who participate in this program here at Colwood:

  • Skills - that’s just like drive chip and putt.
  • 9 hole unified - that’s an athlete and partner in an alternate shot format.
  • 9 hole individual
  • 18 hole unified
  • 18 hole individual

We spent 8 weeks together primarily working inside 100 yards to help get the athletes to their individual scoring goals in their respective competitions. We worked on the range, on course and used an Operation 36 style training program.

We used the funds primarily at Colwood for range balls, course fees and instruction.

Results of Program

  • One athlete went on to State, taking silver in individual 18-hole.
  • One athlete won gold in unified partner 18-hole and graduated to 9-hole individual but did not place. Our 3-year plan was to get his game good enough to compete on his own ball, so it was a success.
  • One athlete took gold in unified partners 9-hole.
  • One athlete competed in individual skills (similar to Drive, Chip and Putt) but was unable to go to regionals this year.

Recommendations

If anyone is interested in volunteering or being a partner, feel free to contact me, your local Special Olympics program or follow this link: http://specialolympicswashington.org/sports/golf/

Being a volunteer or a partner is very rewarding and you will have a friend for life. The special Olympics segment consist mostly of young adults to adults who really love golf and being a part of a fun group. The commitment is up to 4 months if you make it all the way to state. May and June is practice. Regionals is in July and, if your player wins gold, you’ll go to State in August.

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