Sunshine and dry grass means the Powell River Special Olympics golf team can start hitting the course and prepare for its first ever tournament in July.
For the second year now, coach Larry Wuthrich and assistant coach Josh Statham have been heading up to Nootka Dunes Golf Club once a week, typically from May until June, with a group of athletes from town with intellectual disabilities.
Larry started the program out of a love for the game and an interest from parents for a Special Olympics golfing program. Larry has been playing golf since the age of 12 and played golf in college. With a son with an intellectual disability he jumped at the chance to start the team. The team plays Nootka Dunes, which donates the use of the course, every Saturday and visits the Myrtle Point Golf Club to use the driving range.
“They all just love to come out and play and they all want to be like professional golfers,” said Larry. “They’ve got aspirations just to play golf. They just like to get out. They’re having fun.”
Liam Wuthrich joined the team to spend more time with his father, coach Larry, and in order to pick up another activity that would have him out of the house and getting exercise.
“I can bond with other people and athletes and parents and it gets me out of the house and away from the video games for a good hour or two,” said Liam. “I just like the sport because I want to be the next Arnold Palmer or Tiger Woods.”
For its first year Larry focused on getting players out and introducing them to the game of golf. This year, with many returning players, skill development is a goal, especially with the team’s first tournament on the horizon. In July the team will head to Sechelt for the tournament, which Larry said the players are really looking forward to. Special Olympics golf teams from all over will be at the event, which will include an award ceremony and dinner.
Anyone interested in joining the team or volunteers wishing to help the team out can call Larry at 604.483.5487.
